Relating to feelings such as happiness, anger, fear, or sadness. It can also describe someone who shows their feelings strongly or easily.
From 'emotion' plus the adjective suffix '-al.' 'Emotion' comes from French 'émotion' (agitation, excitement), from Old French 'émouvoir' (to stir up), from Latin 'emovere' (to move out, disturb), from 'e-' (out) + 'movere' (to move). The core idea is being moved inwardly.
The root of 'emotional' is about being 'moved'—your inner world shifting, not your body. That’s why we say 'moved to tears' or 'stirred up inside.' The language treats feelings as forces that push us around from within.
“Emotional” has often been used to stereotype women as irrational or unstable, while men’s emotions are framed as strength or passion. This double standard has influenced workplace evaluations, leadership perceptions, and medical diagnoses.
Avoid using “emotional” to dismiss or belittle someone’s response, especially in gendered ways; be specific about behaviors or needs instead of implying that emotion itself is a problem.
["expressive","affected","distressed","moved","feeling‑based"]
Women and gender‑diverse people have been central to research and practice that revalues emotional intelligence and care work; acknowledging this counters the idea that emotion is a weakness.
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