emotional
/ɪˈməʊʃənl/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪˈməʊʃənl/ (ame, ipa) · /i-ˈmō-sh(ə-)nəl/ (ame, mw)
emotional — adjective
- emotionalpositive
- more emotionalcomparative
- most emotionalsuperlative
1. relating to the feelings that people have inside them, such as sadness, joy, or
relating to the feelings that people have inside them, such as sadness, joy, or fear — as opposed to facts, physical sensations, or logical thoughts.
The school counselor helps children deal with emotional problems after a crisis.
collocation: emotional problems / emotional support
Ada's emotional state improved when she started exercising regularly.
collocation: emotional state
Doctors are studying the emotional effects of long-term illness on patients.
Emotional support from family members helped him get through the treatment.
Children's emotional development can be affected by the way adults talk to them.
- cognitive
relating to thinking and reasoning rather than feelings
用法筆記
Frequently placed before a noun. This sense refers to the domain of feelings in general, not to how strongly someone expresses them — compare sense 2.
常見錯誤
2. showing or experiencing strong feelings such as sadness, joy, or anger in a way
showing or experiencing strong feelings such as sadness, joy, or anger in a way that is open and visible to others — for example, crying during a sad movie or laughing with joy at good news.
Henry became very emotional when he talked about his childhood in Taiwan.
pattern: become + emotional when…
Shirin, an emotional person, cries easily at happy news and sad stories.
pattern: emotional + noun describing a person
The basketball team grew emotional after losing the championship game by one point.
Ignacio gave an emotional speech thanking his supporters after winning the election.
Eri felt too emotional to speak and simply nodded through her tears.
- sentimental
implies tender feelings often tied to memories or nostalgia; slightly softer than 'emotional'
- passionate
expresses very strong enthusiasm or desire, not just sadness or joy
- effusive
shows feelings in an extremely open and often energetic way; slightly formal
- unemotional
not showing feelings even when most people would
- stoic
endures hardship without showing feelings; culturally associated with endurance
文法句型
be/become/get/feel + emotional
emotional + noun (person)
用法筆記
When used before a noun (e.g. 'an emotional person'), it describes a recurring trait — someone who often shows feelings. When used after a linking verb (e.g. 'got emotional'), it describes a temporary state triggered by a particular event.
常見錯誤
3. showing more feeling than a situation calls for, to the point that other people
showing more feeling than a situation calls for, to the point that other people consider it exaggerated or unnecessary.
The judge warned the witness not to become so emotional during testimony.
negative connotation: told not to be emotional
Linh found her colleague's emotional reaction to a small mistake rather embarrassing.
Some critics called the actor's performance too emotional and lacking restraint.
Dylan rolled his eyes at the overly emotional speech at the retirement party.
- melodramatic
dramatically exaggerated, like a stage actor; more theatrical than 'emotional'
- hysterical
extremely uncontrolled; much stronger and more negative than 'emotional'
- overwrought
very anxious and upset, often about something minor; slightly formal
- restrained
showing control over one's feelings
- composed
calm and in control of emotions
文法句型
be/get/becoming + emotional
用法筆記
This sense carries a mildly critical tone. It is used when the speaker thinks the emotional display is more than the situation calls for. Distinguish from sense 2 (SHOWING STRONG FEELINGS), which is neutral or sympathetic.
常見錯誤
❌ 'I felt emotional at my daughter's wedding.' (neutral, appropriate) — this describes a normal reaction and should use sense 2, not sense 3.
4. making people feel strong emotions such as sadness, sympathy, or excitement — us
making people feel strong emotions such as sadness, sympathy, or excitement — used to describe events, stories, films, speeches, or moments that touch the heart.
The documentary about endangered animals was so emotional that many viewers cried.
pattern: so emotional that…
Tendai and his sister had an emotional reunion at the airport after eight years apart.
collocation: emotional reunion
Seeing the old family photographs triggered an emotional response in almost everyone.
Eliska's emotional appeal for donations moved people all across the country.
The final scene of the film was the most emotional part of the entire story.
- unemotional
not causing any emotional response
- dry
lacking emotional warmth; often used for writing or speech
文法句型
emotional + noun (event, experience, work of art)
用法筆記
The noun it modifies is always the thing that causes the feeling, not the person experiencing it. Compare: 'an emotional movie' (sense 4, the movie causes feelings) vs. 'an emotional person' (sense 2, the person shows feelings).