love interest
Americannoun
-
a person (especially in fiction) presented as a romantic partner or potential romantic partner.
-
the romantic subplot in a work of fiction.
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Renée Zellweger has a breakout role as Cruise’s earnest assistant and eventual love interest.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 11, 2026
The 42-year-old rose to millennial fame as the dark prince of “The Hills,” playing the love interest of his now-wife, Heidi Montag.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 21, 2026
“Young Sherlock” star Dónal Finn plays Tom Hayward, a potential love interest for Mary, and Laurie Davidson plays the dashing William Ryder, who also catches Mary’s fancy.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 30, 2026
This included love interest MJ, played by Holland's real life partner Zendaya, who is set to reprise her role.
From BBC ● Apr. 14, 2026
She was wearing the long dark jacket and small hat he would have recognized a mile away as being straight from the wardrobe of Helen Grosvenor, the love interest of the 1932 film.
From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
