secret crush
Unconfessed romantic interest
A secret crush is romantic attraction you haven't revealed to anyone, especially not to the person you're attracted to.
The secrecy may be protective—fear of rejection, social complications, or simply enjoying the private thrill: She had a secret crush on her coworker for months.
The phrase implies both the intensity of infatuation and the deliberate concealment of it.
- infatuationShort-lived intense attraction
- butterfliesFluttering insects or nervousness
- butterflies in stomachNervous stomach sensation
- heart flutterIrregular heartbeat sensation
- longingIntense, persistent desire
admirer · unrequited · from afar · daydream · blush · heartache · pining · stolen glances · glances · lovesick · smitten · hopeless romantic · yearning · whisper · diary · love letter · stolen · passing notes
- puppy lovefirst kiss, first love, infatuation, butterflies, blushing
- forbidden loveforbidden love, forbidden romance, illicit love, forbidden fruit, star-crossed
- high schoolhigh school, teachers, classroom, classrooms, principal
- romancelove story, amor, love, boyfriend, courting
- passionsardor, fervor, zeal, enthusiasm, intensity
- tensiontautness, tightness, strain, stiffness, rigidity
secret crushopen relationship
Consensual romantic nonexclusivity
Facebook official · out in the open · public display of affection · going steady · going public
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