fleeting romance

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fleeting romance" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a brief or temporary romantic relationship or attraction between individuals. Example: "Their summer fling was a fleeting romance that neither of them expected to last beyond the season."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

General Writing

Literature

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

After a fleeting romance, the girl and I eventually parted ways.

Independent

– Ashwin Seshagiri In Cloud Storage, a Fleeting Romance Quartz |  What's the one problem with Dropbox's $8 billion valuation?

The New York Times

But Miss Miss has other things in those jars, as shining as dreams, especially tokens saved from her one fleeting romance, which took place during moments when her mother's eyes were closed, with a lifeguard who lived next door.

The New York Times

Sure, I was happy to be out of school or on holiday from work, and I certainly would not have turned down a fleeting romance if I had known where to find one.

The New York Times

In these moments he is that lusty figure still – but it is a lust that cries out for more than sex, spandex and fleeting romance, it is a yearning for belief, belonging and something better.

The Guardian - Music

This produces moments of magic: the fleeting romance of someone on the train looking up just as her song arrives at a stirring lyric, the quirky effect of a jogger in the distance momentarily synching with the rhythms in her headphones.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Ah, yes, the glorious, carefree days of sun and sand, of beach blankets and sand castles and fleeting romances.

The New York Times

In Amagansett, night life has long been dominated by the live music joint the Stephen Talkhouse (161 Main Street; stephentalkhouse.com), where youthful merrymakers dance and ignite fleeting romances.

The New York Times

Those fleeting romances were fun at the time, but now they're just predictable.

Huffington Post

At worst, you'll be totally unapproachable and completely miss out on all the stupid, fun, fleeting romances that your twenties should be filled with.

Huffington Post

Set to Handel, the work was jampacked with Taylor motifs — gently swaying bodies, baseball slides to the floor and a fleeting adagio romance — but it was nothing like the real thing.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fleeting romance" to evoke a sense of nostalgia or wistfulness when describing past relationships. It is particularly effective in fiction and personal essays where emotional resonance is key.

Common error

Avoid using "fleeting romance" in formal or business writing. Opt for more neutral language, such as "brief association" or "temporary collaboration", to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fleeting romance" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "fleeting" modifies the noun "romance". It is used to describe the quality of a romantic relationship as being temporary or short-lived, as validated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fleeting romance" effectively captures the essence of a short-lived romantic connection. As Ludwig confirms, it's grammatically correct and most commonly found in news and media contexts. While appropriate for creative writing and informal settings, avoid using it in formal or business communications. Related phrases like "short-lived affair" or "brief love affair" offer alternative ways to express this idea, each with subtle differences in connotation. Remember to use "fleeting romance" to evoke nostalgia or wistfulness and avoid overusing it in professional contexts to maintain a polished tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

short-lived affair

Focuses on the affair aspect implying a temporary and often secretive relationship.

brief love affair

Highlights both the brevity and the passionate nature of the romantic encounter.

temporary infatuation

Emphasizes the intensity and short duration of the feeling of being in love.

passing fancy

Suggests the romance was a whim or a desire that quickly faded.

quick fling

Implies a casual and short-term romantic involvement.

momentary passion

Highlights the intense but brief emotional connection.

transient affection

Indicates a short-lived display of fondness or love.

ephemeral liaison

Uses more formal language to describe a brief and often illicit romantic connection.

summer fling

Connects the romance with the season summer, implying it will last as long as summer itself.

whirlwind romance

Suggests a rapid and intense development of romantic feelings that may not last.

FAQs

How can I use "fleeting romance" in a sentence?

You can use "fleeting romance" to describe a brief and temporary romantic relationship, such as "Their summer vacation led to a "fleeting romance" that ended when they returned home".

What are some alternatives to "fleeting romance"?

Alternatives include "short-lived affair", "brief love affair", or "temporary infatuation", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "fleeting romance" formal or informal?

"Fleeting romance" is generally considered appropriate for creative writing and informal contexts. For formal writing, consider using phrases like "brief association" or "temporary connection".

What does "fleeting romance" imply about the relationship?

It implies that the relationship was brief, temporary, and perhaps not very deep or serious. It suggests that the connection was more about a short-term experience than a lasting commitment.