Definition and Pronunciation
Hidden love (pronounced: /ˈhɪdən lʌv/) is a noun phrase that refers to romantic affection, passion, or desire that is kept secret or not openly expressed. It may be concealed from society, family, or even the loved one themselves, often due to fear, cultural restrictions, or personal choice.
Easy Explanation
“Hidden love” means love that is kept out of sight. For example, a student may have hidden love for their teacher but never express it, or two people may hide their relationship from family due to social disapproval.
Grammatical Formation
- Past participle adjective + Noun: hidden (concealed, not visible) + love (affection, passion).
- Related terms: hidden feelings, hidden desire.
Word Comparisons
- Hidden love vs. secret love: secret love = intentionally hidden; hidden love = may be naturally unnoticed or kept private.
- Hidden love vs. unspoken love: unspoken = not expressed in words; hidden = not visible to others at all.
- Hidden love vs. private love: private = personal, not displayed; hidden = actively kept from others’ awareness.
Connotations
- Romanticized: mysterious, poetic, innocent.
- Emotional: longing, restrained, painful.
- Negative (sometimes): dishonest, deceptive.
Meaning with Prepositions
- Hidden love for: hidden love for a friend.
- Hidden love toward: hidden love toward her neighbor.
- Hidden love in: hidden love in poetry and stories.
Real-Life Examples
- He lived with hidden love for her all his life.
- The movie tells a story of hidden love revealed too late.
- Her poems expressed hidden love through metaphors.
- Hidden love often creates both beauty and sorrow.
Synonyms
secret love, concealed love, silent love, unspoken love, unconfessed love, undisclosed love, private love
Antonyms
open love, confessed love, declared love, public love, acknowledged love
Related Terms
- Forbidden romance – love hidden due to cultural or social rules.
- Secret admirer – someone who loves without revealing.
- Unrequited love – love not returned, often kept hidden.
- Suppressed passion – strong feelings kept back.
Common Collocations
- hidden love affair
- hidden love for years
- hidden love letters
- hidden love in poetry
- hidden love revealed
Idiomatic and Figurative Usage
- Hidden love of the heart: secret affection kept inside.
- Hidden love story: romance concealed from the world.
- Hidden love as tragedy: theme of longing in literature.
Sample Sentences
- She kept her hidden love for him until the end.
- Hidden love can be more painful than rejection.
- The poet wrote verses about hidden love.
- Their hidden love was discovered, causing scandal.
Connection to Sexuality
Yes, possibly. “Hidden love” can be innocent and emotional, but it may also describe secret sexual relationships (such as affairs or forbidden romances). The context decides whether it is romantic, platonic, or sexual.
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