romance
8 synonyms and 5 antonyms for romance, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A loving relationship between two people, especially a passionate one.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use romance
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
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".
Full origin of romance →Frequently asked questions
What does “romance” mean?
The word “romance” means a loving relationship between two people, especially a passionate one. In plain terms, a love affair, a love story, or the sense of excitement and mystery surrounding something.
How do you pronounce “romance”?
“Romance” is pronounced ruh-MANS (/roʊˈmæn(t)s/ in IPA).
How do you use “romance” in a sentence?
Here is “romance” used in a sentence: “Their office romance was the talk of the department.”
What is another word for “romance”?
Words with a similar meaning to “romance” include put the moves on and solicit.
What is the opposite of “romance”?
The opposite of “romance” — its antonyms — are platonic, platonic love, platonic relationship, nonromance and antiromance.
What part of speech is “romance”?
“Romance” is a noun.
Where does the word “romance” come from?
The word “romance” comes from Latin. From Old French romanz, meaning a story written in the everyday language of France as opposed to formal Latin — ultimately from Latin romanicus, "Roman".
Is “romance” a common word?
“Romance” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between 'romance' and 'love'?
Romance refers to a loving relationship between two people, especially a passionate one, and often includes courtship, dates, and gestures of affection. Love is the deeper feeling itself, which can exist without the passionate, courtship-style elements that romance suggests.
What is the difference between a 'romance' and a 'relationship'?
A romance is specifically a loving, often passionate, bond between two people, with an emphasis on affection and excitement. A relationship is any ongoing connection between people, which may be romantic, family-based, or professional.
What is the difference between 'romance' and 'romantic'?
'Romance' is a noun naming a loving relationship or a love-based story, while 'romantic' is usually an adjective describing something that suggests love, such as a romantic dinner. You can have a romance, and you can call a gesture romantic.