romance

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "romance" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the feelings or desires associated with a passionate and intense love affair, or to refer to a genre of works such as novels, plays, and films that deal with love and romance. For example, "She was so excited to read her favorite romance novel."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Film

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Who said romance was dead?

The Guardian - Travel

Before homogenization, when there was mystery, before aggregation, when the original had value, before digital, when there was vinyl, before Made in China, when there was Mao, before stress management, when there was romance, we had the impression we were doing all right.

The New York Times

It would be far-fetched to describe the US and Britain's long-term relationship with Saudi Arabia as a love affair, although elements of romance, blind infatuation and lustful mutual gratification have never been entirely absent.

The Guardian

GRAN CANARIA If wrapping up warm for wintry romance isn't your thing, escape for a week in the Canary islands, where winter temperatures are usually around 20C. Gran Canaria, with its rolling sand dunes and lush palm plantations, has a stark beauty and, perhaps more importantly, a smattering of slick spa hotels.

The Guardian - Travel

The "peerlessly prolific" author works with a team of collaborators on his novels, which span thrillers, romance and young adult fantasy.

The Guardian - Books

In the German capital, he had a romance with the actor Marlene Dietrich, and – according to Barki – is also rumoured to have had a fling with Anastasia, the mysterious daughter of Russia's last tsar, Nicholas II.

The Guardian

Lahiri is way too witty to be an actual ditz (see her failed romance with a skater bro, guest star Timothy Olyphant: "My body is very attracted to your body but when you speak, my brain gets angry"), and too optimistically hopeful to be truly loathsome.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The ratio of tips to wins is expected to be favourable for this hard-hitting romance between a charity shop worker and a troubled alcoholic.

The Guardian - Film

It could be argued that the focus is less on romance and more on something massive smashing into something even more massive but then, was sub-Hitchockian thriller Unknown really about developing the relationship between Liam Neeson and his wife, played by 25 years younger January Jones?

The Guardian - Film

That film took the award for third prize, while the surprise recipient of the runner's up award was Learning to Drive, a comedy romance from Isabel Coixet starring Ben Kingsley and Patricia Clarkson.

The Guardian - Film

Most, if not all, YA fiction includes romance, so a bit of Jane Austen classic romance shouldn't hurt, should it?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "romance" to refer to idealized love, a love affair, or a genre of literature and film. Be mindful of the specific context to ensure accurate communication.

Common error

Avoid using "romance" loosely to describe any pleasant or positive experience. The term specifically implies a connection to love, passion, or idealized narratives. Using it outside these contexts can dilute its meaning and confuse your audience.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "romance" is as a noun, denoting either a type of relationship characterized by love and affection, a genre of literature or film, or a quality of excitement and mystery. As Ludwig AI highlights, it can refer to feelings, a love affair, or a specific genre.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Film

25%

Books

20%

Less common in

Travel

10%

Sport

5%

Lifestyle

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "romance" is a versatile noun that can refer to various facets of love, relationships, and narrative genres. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status in English writing. As a concept, it's most commonly discussed within news, media, film, and book contexts. Usage analysis reveals the importance of understanding the context to avoid misapplication. Use "romance" thoughtfully, bearing in mind its connection to idealized love and passionate relationships. Remember that while the term is typically neutral, the nuance can be adapted to the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

romantic relationship

Emphasizes the relational aspect and the presence of romantic feelings.

love affair

Focuses specifically on a romantic relationship, often implying a passionate or intense connection.

passionate love

Stresses the intensity and ardor of romantic feelings.

love story

Highlights the narrative aspect of a romance, often referring to a fictional portrayal.

idyllic love

Conveys a sense of idealized and perfect love, often associated with pleasant settings.

courtship

Refers to the period of developing a romantic relationship, with emphasis on wooing and dating.

romantic entanglement

Suggests a complex or complicated romantic situation.

affection

Highlights feelings of fondness and care, a core component of romance but less intense.

amour

A more formal or literary term for love, often suggesting a grand or tragic narrative.

fling

Implies a short-lived and casual romantic encounter.

FAQs

How can I use "romance" in a sentence?

You can use "romance" to refer to a love affair (e.g., "Their "love affair" was a whirlwind "romance""), a feeling (e.g., "She longed for "romance" in her life"), or a genre (e.g., "He enjoys reading "romance novels"").

What's the difference between "romance" and "love"?

"Love" is a broad term encompassing various forms of affection. "Romance" specifically refers to the intensity, excitement, and idealization associated with love, often in a passionate relationship or narrative.

What are some synonyms for "romance" when describing a relationship?

Depending on the context, you could use "love affair", "courtship", "relationship", or "romantic involvement".

Can "romance" be used in a negative context?

Yes, "romance" can be used ironically or negatively to describe a situation that is overly sentimental, unrealistic, or misleading. For example, someone might say, "The "romance" of working from home quickly fades when you have to do laundry at lunchtime."