passing fancy
Brief romantic interest
A passing fancy is a brief, shallow interest or infatuation that fades quickly.
The phrase emphasizes how fleeting the attraction is—what seems captivating today will be forgotten tomorrow: I thought it was love, but it turned out to be a passing fancy.
Often used to distinguish temporary enthusiasms from lasting commitments.
Compress with force
- flirtationPlayful romantic attention
- puppy loveImmature romantic attraction
- attractionPull toward something
- fascinationIntense absorbed interest
obsession · enchantment · smitten · fixation · limerence · heartthrob · swoon · butterflies
Unpredictable urge or notion
- impulseSudden urge to act
- whimsyPlayful, capricious quality
- notionImprecise mental impression
- urgeStrong inner drive
spur-of-the-moment · spontaneous · fickle · changeable · mercurial · capricious · flighty · erratic
Lasting very briefly
- transientTemporary, soon departing
- ephemeralLasting very briefly
- short-livedLasting only briefly
- temporaryLimited in duration
evanescent · brief · vanishing · impermanent · fugitive · fading · dissolving · evaporating
Lacking significance or weight
- superficialLacking depth or substance
- shallowWithout much depth
- idleWithout activity or purpose
- lightheartedCheerful and without worry
playful · trifling · unserious · inconsequential · minor · slight · casual · offhand
crush
Compress with force
- flirtationPlayful romantic attention
- puppy loveImmature romantic attraction
- attractionPull toward something
fascination · obsession · enchantment · smitten · fixation · limerence · heartthrob · swoon · butterflies · lovesick
caprice
Unpredictable urge or notion
urge · spur-of-the-moment · spontaneous · fickle · changeable · mercurial · capricious · flighty · erratic · unpredictable
momentary
Lasting very briefly
- transientTemporary, soon departing
- ephemeralLasting very briefly
- short-livedLasting only briefly
temporary · evanescent · brief · vanishing · impermanent · fugitive · fading · dissolving · evaporating · fly-by-night
trivial
Lacking significance or weight
- superficialLacking depth or substance
- shallowWithout much depth
- idleWithout activity or purpose
lighthearted · playful · trifling · unserious · inconsequential · minor · slight · casual · offhand · throwaway
passing fancytrue love
Authentic romantic connection
love of one's life · real thing · soul mate · life's work · calling
passing fancyeternal flame
Continuously burning memorial light
undying love · fixture · constant · mainstay
fancy, pass, passing, fantasy, passed, fanciful, passable, passes, fancied