romantic
/roʊˈmæntɪk/
adjective
Origin
Latin
romanicus — Roman-like
Overview
Meaning Now
- Of, characterized by, or suggestive of an idealized view of reality.
- Relating to or involving love, especially of a sexual or passionate nature.
- Relating to Romanticism, the 18th and 19th-century artistic and literary movement.
Literal older meaning
In the style of the vernacular languages (Romance languages) as opposed to Latin.
Language path
Latin → Old French → Middle English → English
Earliest form
romantick
Earliest period
17th century
Journey
The word began as a way to distinguish vernacular languages (Romance) from Latin. By the 17th century, it described the 'fabulous' nature of stories written in those languages, eventually evolving to describe the emotional intensity central to the Romantic movement in art and literature.
Evolution
- 1st century, Latin
romanice
“in the Roman (vernacular) manner”
Adverbial usage describing writing in Romance languages.
- 12th century, Old French
romanz
“written in a vernacular language”
Specifically referring to narrative tales of chivalry.
- 17th century, English
romantick
“fanciful, fictitious, or fabulous”
Initially pejorative, describing qualities found in medieval romances.
- 18th century, English
romantic
“appealing to the imagination, picturesque”
Associated with the aesthetics of landscape and emotion.
- 19th century, English
romantic
“having the quality of love or passion”
Modern sense regarding interpersonal relationships.
Connections
Word parts
romant-
root
of the vernacular/tale
-ic
suffix
pertaining to
Related across languages
French
romantique
romantic
Italian
romantico
romantic
German
romantisch
romantic
Explore next
Related to romantic
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.