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love affair

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noun
  1. a romantic relationship or episode between lovers; an amour.
  2. an active enthusiasm for something: my love affair with sailing.
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Origin of love affair

First recorded in 1585–95
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for love affair

Historical Examples

  • I'm the most mistaken woman in the world, or there's some love-affair in the making.

    The Middle Class Gentleman

    Moliere

  • He spoke with some heat, which was his wont in every allusion to Jack's love-affair.

  • If he is successful in bringing up the apple, his love-affair will end happily.

    The Book of Hallowe'en

    Ruth Edna Kelley

  • As for the love-affair itself, one's feelings towards it are mixed.

  • What expiation could she offer hereafter if she were to persevere in this love-affair?

British Dictionary definitions for love affair

love affair

noun
  1. a romantic or sexual relationship, esp a temporary one, between two people
  2. a great enthusiasm or liking for somethinga love affair with ballet
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Idioms and Phrases with love affair

love affair

1

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.

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2

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

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The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.