Romance

English Meaning

A species of fictitious writing, originally composed in meter in the Romance dialects, and afterward in prose, such as the tales of the court of Arthur, and of Amadis of Gaul; hence, any fictitious and wonderful tale; a sort of novel, especially one which treats of surprising adventures usually befalling a hero or a heroine; a tale of extravagant adventures, of love, and the like.

1. A love affair.
2. Ardent emotional attachment or involvement between people; love: They kept the romance alive in their marriage for 35 years.
3. A strong, sometimes short-lived attachment, fascination, or enthusiasm for something: a childhood romance with the sea.
4. A mysterious or fascinating quality or appeal, as of something adventurous, heroic, or strangely beautiful: "These fine old guns often have a romance clinging to them” ( Richard Jeffries).
5. A long medieval narrative in prose or verse that tells of the adventures and heroic exploits of chivalric heroes: an Arthurian romance.
6. A long fictitious tale of heroes and extraordinary or mysterious events, usually set in a distant time or place.
7. The class of literature constituted by such tales.
8. An artistic work, such as a novel, story, or film, that deals with sexual love, especially in an idealized form.
9. The class or style of such works.
10. A fictitiously embellished account or explanation: We have been given speculation and romance instead of the facts.
11. Music A lyrical, tender, usually sentimental song or short instrumental piece.
12. The Romance languages.
13. Of, relating to, or being any of the languages that developed from Latin, including Italian, French, Portuguese, Romanian, and Spanish.
14. To invent, write, or tell romances.
15. To think or behave in a romantic manner.
16. Informal To make love to; court or woo.
17. Informal To have a love affair with.