Phrase guide

puppy love

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

A childish or youthful infatuation with another person.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: derogatory, informal, uncountable

Examples

  • They're only teenagers; it's hard to take their puppy love seriously.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: calf love

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

temporary love of an adolescent

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: calf love, crush, infatuation

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: love

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

11 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Afrikaans: kalwerliefde — youthful infatuation with another person
  • Chinese Mandarin: 早戀 /早恋 (zǎoliàn) — youthful infatuation with another person
  • Dutch: kalverliefde — youthful infatuation with another person
  • Esperanto: ameto — youthful infatuation with another person
  • Finnish: nuori lempi — youthful infatuation with another person
  • French: amourette — youthful infatuation with another person
  • Hungarian: diákszerelem — youthful infatuation with another person
  • Hungarian: kamaszszerelem — youthful infatuation with another person
  • Hungarian: bakfisszerelem — youthful infatuation with another person
  • Malay: cinta monyet — youthful infatuation with another person
  • Scottish Gaelic: gaol na h-òige — youthful infatuation with another person