Definition and Meaning of “Puppy Love”
Term: Puppy love
Pronunciation: /ˈpʌp.i lʌv/
Part of Speech: Noun (uncountable)
Pronunciation: /ˈpʌp.i lʌv/
Part of Speech: Noun (uncountable)
- Definition: A mild, youthful infatuation or crush, typically experienced during adolescence.
Simple Explanation
Puppy love is when you have a sweet, often innocent crush—usually as a young teenager—on someone you admire.
Grammatical Formation
- Noun: puppy love
- “They experienced puppy love in middle school.”
- Usage note: Almost always used as an uncountable noun.
Synonyms
young crush, teenage infatuation, school‑girl/boy crush, juvenile fascination
Antonyms
mature love, deep affection, lasting love, adult romance
Related Terms
crush, infatuation, adolescent romance, first love, fleeting crush
Common Collocations
- experience puppy love
- fall into puppy love
- overcome puppy love
- school‑day puppy love
- innocent puppy love
Idiomatic Usage & Expressions
Sample Sentences
- They met in eighth grade and shared a brief puppy love before high school.
- Most adults look back on their puppy love with a smile and a bit of nostalgia.
- She thought her puppy love would last forever—but it faded after summer.
- Puppy love often teaches teens about their first steps in romance.
- His puppy love for the pop star led him to collect all her posters.
Relationship to Sexuality
✅ Limited.
Puppy love refers to early, often non‑sexual infatuation. While it can involve mild physical attraction, it’s generally innocent and emotionally light, unlike mature sexual attraction or relationships.
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