Synonyms

puppy love

American

noun

temporary infatuation of a boy or girl for another person.

puppy love British

noun

another term for calf love

"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

puppy love Idioms

Also, calf love. Adolescent love or infatuation, especially one that is not expected to last, as in Beth is besotted with him, but we think it's just puppy love, or He's got a bad case of calf love. [First half of 1800s]

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.

The same month she and DDG sparked pregnancy rumors, Halle said her relationship with the rapper was more than just puppy love.

From Los Angeles Times

Initially it was puppy love, with four-month-old Davy getting along well with his adopted siblings and seemingly enjoying the limelight.

From Seattle Times

“Heartstopper” offered its audience mellow dramatics and an understanding that puppy love is universal.

From New York Times

“Show a little puppy love to your pet and take it out of the carrying case,” Farbstein said.

From Washington Post

Knowing she will not live much beyond 16, she wants to experience everything she imagines the world has to offer — road trips, a robot butler, puppy love — while she can.

From New York Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023