What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
idealisation
Example
She had an idealised image of her partner, thinking he could do no wrong. [idealised: adjective]
Example
The artist's painting was an idealisation of the landscape, depicting it in its most beautiful form. [idealisation: noun]
romanticization
Example
The movie romanticized the idea of living in poverty, making it seem like a noble and romantic pursuit. [romanticized: verb]
Example
Many people romanticize the 1950s, forgetting the social inequalities and injustices of the time. [romanticize: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Romanticization is more commonly used than idealisation in everyday language. Romanticization is often used in media, literature, and popular culture to create a certain mood or atmosphere, while idealisation is less common and often used in psychology or self-help contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between idealisation and romanticization?
Both idealisation and romanticization are formal words that are not commonly used in everyday conversation. However, idealisation may be more commonly used in academic or professional contexts, while romanticization is more commonly used in creative or artistic contexts.