noun
romance
ruh-MANS
noun
1
A loving relationship between two people, especially a passionate one.
"Their office romance was the talk of the department."
"They met on holiday and a whirlwind romance followed."
2
A novel, film, or story built around an idealized love relationship.
"She loves reading historical romances on the beach."
3
An air of mystery, excitement, or adventure attached to something.
"There's a certain romance to traveling by overnight train."
How to Use Romance
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA love affair, a love story, or the sense of excitement and mystery surrounding something.
Common pairings
whirlwind romance
office romance
the romance of
Word Forms
romanced past tense, romances plural, romances singular
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Etymology
From Old French romanz, meaning a story written in the everyday language of France as opposed to formal Latin — ultimately from Latin romanicus, "Roman".