Slang – Puppy love
What Does “Puppy Love” Mean?
Meaning — young love. Puppy love is an informal term for feelings of love, romance, or infatuation, often felt by people of a young age. This type of love is often viewed as a shallow, but intense, infatuation.
Puppy love is named after its resemblance to the way a puppy worships or adores somebody — enthusiastic and devoted, even if it doesn’t last.
Example
“My little sister is obsessed with her new boyfriend. She can’t stop talking about him, but it’s just puppy love! She’ll get bored of him in a week.”
Want more romantic slang? Check out bae.
What is slang?
Slang is very informal language. It’s usually spoken rather than written, and is often used by a particular group of people or in a particular place. Slang changes over time, and using it well is a great way to sound more natural when speaking English.
Love animal idioms? See our full list of 50 animal idioms in English, with meanings and examples.
Frequently Asked Questions
“Puppy love” is young love — an informal term for feelings of love, romance, or infatuation, often felt by young people. It’s often seen as a shallow but intense infatuation.
It’s named after its resemblance to the way a puppy worships or adores somebody — enthusiastic, wide-eyed devotion, but not necessarily lasting.
Not really — it’s usually said fondly or teasingly, acknowledging that a young romance is genuine in the moment even if it may not last.
Test Yourself
Discuss:
Do you remember your first “puppy love”? Tell us on X — @EnglishStudy.
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