Romantic describes things connected to love and affection between people who are attracted to each other. A romantic dinner might involve candles, flowers, and two people gazing into each other's eyes. Romantic feelings are the butterflies-in-your-stomach emotions that make someone want to hold hands, write love letters, or do special things for the person they care about.

The word also describes stories, movies, or ideas that emphasize love and emotion over practical concerns. A romantic comedy focuses on two people falling in love, usually with funny obstacles along the way. Books like Pride and Prejudice or movies like The Princess Bride are considered romantic because love drives the story forward.

In a different sense, romantic can mean idealistic or impractical in a dreamy way. Someone with romantic notions about becoming a famous musician might imagine the glamorous parts without thinking about years of daily practice. A person might have romantic ideas about living on a tropical island without considering hurricanes, bugs, or how they'd get groceries.