love interests
Objects of affection
Love interests are characters in stories who serve as romantic partners or potential romantic partners for protagonists.
The term emphasizes narrative function over the relationship itself—a love interest exists to be pursued, won, or lost.
In casual use, it can describe real-life romantic prospects with slight irony: I hear you have a new love interest.
- boyfriendMale romantic companion
- romanceLove and its excitement
- admirerOne who esteems another
- on-again off-againAlternating between active and inactive
- girlfriendFemale romantic partner
crush · secret admirer · betrothed · heartthrob · inamorata · paramour · matchmaker · suitor · forbidden · fiancé · romantic intrigue · hopeless romantic · tryst · soulmate · childhood sweetheart · old flame · courtship · hug
- TV representationgay characters, queer visibility, media portrayal, diverse casting, stereotypes
- character typesprotagonist, hero, antagonist, villain, heroes
- visual novelsvisual novels, dating sims, routes, route, multiple endings
- comic book elementssuperheroes, villains, sidekicks, alter egos, secret identities
- loverssweethearts, sweetheart, paramour, paramours, soulmates
love interestsjust friends
Non-romantic close relationship
buddies · pals · acquaintances · companions · colleagues
love interestsenemies
Hostile opposing parties
nemeses · sworn enemies · adversaries · antagonists · rivals
love interestsvillains
Evil characters in narratives
antagonists · archenemies · foils · rivals · comic relief
love, interest, loving, loved, lover, beloved, lovable, lovers, unloved