love affair

noun

1. a romantic relationship or episode between lovers; an amour.

2. an active enthusiasm for something.

   my love affair with sailing.

love affair

noun

1. a romantic or sexual relationship, esp a temporary one, between two people

2. a great enthusiasm or liking for something

   a love affair with ballet

Word History and Origins

Origin of love affair¹

First recorded in 1585–95

Idioms and Phrases

An intimate sexual relationship, as in They had a torrid love affair many years ago . This expression dates from about 1600, when it referred merely to the experiences connected with being in love. The current sense dates from the second half of the 1800s.

A strong enthusiasm, as in We can't ignore America's love affair with the automobile . [Mid-1900s]

Example Sentences

All these nuggets are drawn from “Unabridged,” in which Stefan Fatsis—a journalist, broadcaster and author—reflects on his love affair with the dictionary.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Charting his passionate love affair with Elizabeth Taylor and his very public struggle with alcoholism, the play explores fame, ambition, and identity.

Read more on BBC

When she confronted her mother about the missing funds, she confessed to the love affair.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

In this lengthy love affair with music, it was inevitable that he would return to his first love: Pulp.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

And he has already struck up a love affair with Liverpool's fans after a superb start to life at Anfield.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• adultery 
• affair 
• courtship 
• dalliance 
• devotion 
• fling 
• flirtation 
• infidelity 
• involvement 
• liaison 
• love 
• passion 
• relationship 
• tryst