romance
ruh-MANS
Romance (noun) means a loving relationship between two people, especially a passionate one. Example: “Their romance began with a shared umbrella on a rainy afternoon.”
noun
1
A loving relationship between two people, especially a passionate one.
"Their romance began with a shared umbrella on a rainy afternoon."
"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.
"He wrote a gentle romance set in a small seaside town."
"On Sundays my aunt curls up with a romance and a cup of tea."
"She loves reading historical romances on the beach."
3
An air of mystery, excitement, or adventure attached to something.
"Old lighthouses have a romance that draws visitors from all over the country."
"The romance of the open road made him leave the city."
"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
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Word forms
- Plural
- romances
- Third person singular
- romances
- Past tense
- romanced
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Their _____ began with a shared umbrella on a rainy afternoon.
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".
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for romance
See all rhymes for 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.
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