noun A2 Elementary Common

romance

ruh-MANS

Romance (noun) means a loving relationship between two people, especially a passionate one. Example: “Their office romance was the talk of the department.”

noun

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."

A novel, film, or story built around an idealized love relationship.

"She loves reading historical romances on the beach."

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 notes

In 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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Fill the gap

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Their office _____ was the talk of the department.

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".

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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love affair courtship passion affair amour love story put the moves on solicit

Antonyms

platonic platonic love platonic relationship nonromance antiromance

Related words

thing court event feeling calling function patient happening

Rhymes for romance

lance dance Nance seance chance nuance trance stance glance balance advance finance

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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.

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