Vocabulary about Love and Romance

Valentine’s Day is coming up. For many people, this means cards, chocolates, candy hearts, flowers and romantic dinners with the one they love. If you like love (or just enjoy learning new idioms) here are some sayings and vocabulary about the ups and downs of love, romance and all that ‘mushy’ stuff.

Flirt (noun / verb)

= When someone flirts, he or she says or does little things that show romantic interest in another person. It’s meant to be fun and not too serious. Someone who does a lot of flirting is called a flirt.

For example:

A: That guy is such a flirt! Look at him over there!

B: I think Nicola likes him. She’s flirting right back.

Puppy love (noun)

= This is the kind of love that young people – children or teens – experience. It’s sweet and cute and older people don’t take it too seriously. 

For example: 

A: Oh, did you see Julie and her new boyfriend? They’re so cute! 

B: Yeah, but it’s just puppy love.

Crush (verb / noun)

= When you have a crush on someone, that means you like him or her romantically. That person probably doesn’t even know how you feel. 

For example:

A: Who do you have a crush on?

B: I don’t have a crush!

A: Come on! Everyone does. I’m crushing on someone right now….

Infatuation (noun) / Infatuated (adj)

= This is a feeling of intense“intense” adj = strongly focused obsession“obsession” noun = when you cannot stop focusing on something over a long period of time with another person. You can’t stop thinking about him or her and it might affect how you eat or sleep. It happens either during a secret crush or at the start of a new relationship. It is not a deep love.

For example:

A: I can’t get my classmate out of my mind!

B: You’re infatuated with him. You don’t even know him that well.

A: I know, but I’m enjoying my infatuation!

Fall for someone (phrasal verb)

= When this happens, it means that you start having romantic feelings or being in love with someone. 

For example:

A: I couldn’t help it. I fell for Bobby and there’s nothing I can do about it.

B: Well, he’s a good guy! I’m happy for you.

A match made in heaven

= This expression describes two people who are perfect for each other. It’s as if God himself must have put them together!

For example:

A: Oliver and Beatrice are great for each other.

B: Yeah, they really are a match made in heaven.

Sweep someone off his / her feet

= This is a way of saying that you made someone fall completely in love with you by your actions and words. 

A: Connor swept Denise off her feet!

B: I wonder how he did it? She’s not a romantic person at all!

Be head over heels in love

= This means to be completely in love with someone. It’s the same as infatuation, but perhaps has a deeper level of love.

For example: 

A: They are a great couple.

B: Yeah, Ted’s head over heels in love with her. And Mary feels the same way about him.

Be crazy about someone

= This expression is similar to the one above. It means to be really ‘into’ another person romantically.

For example:

A: They’re still crazy about each other, aren’t they?

B: I can’t believe they’ve been married for ten years!

Lovey dovey (adj)

= We use this to describe a couple that is very affectionate“affectionate” adj = openly showing love for someone with each other. They are always hugging, kissing and saying sweet things. Another way of saying this is ‘PDA’ (public displays of affection). Not everyone likes to see it!

For example:

A: Juan and Amelia are so lovey dovey with each other.

B: I know. I wish they’d stop! It’s making me sick!

A: I think it’s kind of sweet!

Love sick (adj)

= This describes a person who is completely infatuated or in love with someone. It affects the way they feel and act, as if they were sick.

For example:

A: What’s wrong with Anthony? He’s acting so distracted“distracted” adj = unable to think clearly or focus your attention these days.

B: Haven’t you heard? He’s dating Melissa and he’s totally love sick.

Dump (verb)

= When you dump someone, you break up with him or her. In other words, you end a romantic relationship with your partner.

For example:

A: I can’t believe she dumped me! I was going to dump her!

B: Does it matter? It’s over now.

Break someone’s heart

= When you break someone’s heart, it means you emotionally hurt the person you are in a relationship with. Either you broke up with him or her or you were secretly in a relationship with someone else at the same time.

For example:

A: He broke my heart. I’ll never get over it.

B: I’m so sorry he did that. In time, you’ll feel better. You’ll see.

Ladies’ man (noun)

= This is a man who has lots of romantic relationships with women. It suggests he doesn’t take any of it seriously and is just having fun. Another word for this is ‘player’.

For example:

A: You should stay away from Dennis.

B: Why?

A: I heard he’s a ladies’ man. 

There are plenty of fish in the sea. (saying)

= This is a proverb that teaches us a lesson. It is saying we should not get too focused on one person or upset if we break up with someone. There are many other people out there that we could meet and fall in love with.

For example:

A: I’ll never meet anyone like Polly.

B: Don’t worry. There are plenty of fish in the sea. You’ll meet someone else. 

The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. (saying)

= This is another proverb. Basically, if someone cooks delicious food for another person, it will make them like (love?) them more easily. True for anyone, not just men!

For example:

A: How can I get him to be interested in me? I have to find a way to catch his attention.

B: Cook for him. You know, the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach! I heard he loves steak!

Love is blind. (saying)  

= This saying means that when you are in love with someone, you don’t see their faults“faults” noun = problems with a person’s actions or personality and you only focus on their good points.

For example:

A: Why is she dating that guy? She’s too good for him!

B: You know what they say – love is blind.

There is probably more vocabulary about love and romance, but I think we should stop there! Happy Valentines Day – whether you celebrate or not.

Do you have any love vocabulary, idioms or sayings from your language that you would like to share with us? Please do!

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Esther Penner is the creator of Open Up English. She has worked in the English language education industry for over 20 years. She has taught ESL, coordinated international student recruitment, arranged homestay accommodations and done contract writing for educational programming. Esther’s first teaching job in Japan inspired her love of travel and culture. She was born and raised in Toronto, Canada, where she lives with her husband, daughter and grumpy cat Henry.