First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1romance
noun ro·mance \rō-ˈman(t)s, rə-; ˈrō-ˌ\
Definition of ROMANCE
1
a (1) : a medieval tale based on legend, chivalric love and adventure, or the supernatural (2) : a prose narrative treating imaginary characters involved in events remote in time or place and usually heroic, adventurous, or mysterious (3) : a love story especially in the form of a novel b : a class of such literature
2
: something (as an extravagant story or account) that lacks basis in fact
3
: an emotional attraction or aura belonging to an especially heroic era, adventure, or activity
4
5
capitalized : the Romance languages
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Origin of ROMANCE
Middle English romauns, from Anglo-French romanz French, narrative in French, from Medieval Latin Romanice in a vernacular (as opposed to Latin), from Late Latin Romanus Gallo-Romance speaker (as opposed to a Frank), from Latin, Roman
Other Literature Terms
2romance
verb
: to have or try to have a romantic relationship with (someone)
: to give special attention to (someone) in order to get something that you want from that person
: to talk about something in a way that makes it seem better than it really is
ro·mancedro·manc·ing
Full Definition of ROMANCE
intransitive verb
1
: to exaggerate or invent detail or incident
2
: to entertain romantic thoughts or ideas
transitive verb
1
: to try to influence or curry favor with especially by lavishing personal attention, gifts, or flattery
2
: to carry on a love affair with
See romance defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of ROMANCE
1655
Rhymes with ROMANCE
3romance
noun
Definition of ROMANCE
: a short instrumental piece in ballad style
Origin of ROMANCE
German Romanze & French romance, both ultimately from Spanish romance romance, ballad, from Old Occitan & Old French romanz
First Known Use: circa 1854
Romance
adjective Ro·mance \rō-ˈman(t)s, rə-; ˈrō-ˌ\
Definition of ROMANCE
: of, relating to, or being any of the languages developed from Latin (as Italian, French, and Spanish)
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First Known Use of ROMANCE
1690
Other Language Terms
Rhymes with ROMANCE
ROMANCE Defined for Kids
romance
noun ro·mance \rō-ˈmans\
Definition of ROMANCE for Kids
1
: an attraction or appeal to the emotions <the romance of the sea>
2
: a love story
3
: a love affair
4
: an old tale of knights and noble ladies
5
: an adventure story
Romance
adjective Ro·mance \rō-ˈmans\
Definition of ROMANCE for Kids
: relating to or being the languages (as French, Italian, and Spanish) that are descended from Latin
Learn More About ROMANCE
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