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.
Zendaya, Holland’s real-life romantic partner, also reprises her role as MJ, Spider-Man’s love interest.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 6, 2026
His most recent film role was 2022's Top Gun: Maverick, in which he played Jimmy, a bartender who works with the character played by Jennifer Connelly, Tom Cruise's love interest.
From BBC ● Jun. 5, 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
Australia’s Patrick Brammall is engaging as Andy’s love interest, but his underwritten character is one of those generic dial-a-hunk types that pop up in woman-centered stories.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 29, 2026
We’d been on a hunt the last time we really drilled him for info on our mysterious love interest, a little before Rose showed up.
From "The Marrow Thieves" by Cherie Dimaline
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.
