amour: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Literary, Archaic
Quick answer
What does “amour” mean?
A secret or illicit love affair.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A secret or illicit love affair; a lover, especially in a secret or illicit relationship.
In literary or formal contexts, can refer to love itself, especially romantic or sexual love, or to Cupid/the god of love.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is similar in both varieties, but more likely to be encountered in British English due to its French borrowing history and its use in certain fixed phrases (e.g., 'crime of passion' contexts).
Connotations
Connotes secrecy, illicit passion, and a certain literary or genteel worldliness. May sound pretentious if used unironically in casual speech.
Frequency
Very low frequency in everyday language in both regions. Found more in literary texts, historical contexts, or humorous/ironic modern usage.
Grammar
How to Use “amour” in a Sentence
have + an amour (with)be involved in + an amoura secret + amourVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “amour” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Not applicable as a verb in modern English.
American English
- Not applicable as a verb in modern English.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
American English
- Not applicable as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- Not applicable as a standalone adjective. (Related: 'amorous').
American English
- Not applicable as a standalone adjective. (Related: 'amorous').
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Almost never used.
Academic
Used in literary criticism, historical studies, or discussions of romance literature.
Everyday
Rare. If used, it is likely to be humorous, ironic, or pretentious.
Technical
Not applicable.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “amour”
Strong
Neutral
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “amour”
- Using it as a common synonym for 'love' or 'relationship'.
- Pronouncing it as /ˈæmɔː(r)/ (like 'armour' without the 'r').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is rare and has a formal, literary, or slightly archaic feel. It is a C1-level word.
Not in contemporary usage. Its primary meaning is a secret love affair. The general sense of 'love' is very archaic/poetic.
'Amour' specifically connotes secrecy, passion, and often a touch of literary sophistication. 'Affair' is the more common, neutral term for an extramarital relationship.
British: /əˈmʊə(r)/ (uh-MOOR). American: /əˈmʊr/ (uh-MOOR). The main difference is the rhotic /r/ sound is pronounced in American English at the end.
A secret or illicit love affair.
Amour is usually formal, literary, archaic in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “crime of passion (related context)”
- “eternal triangle (related context)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'AMOUR' as 'A MOURe' of secrecy; a love affair hidden away in a secret room.
Conceptual Metaphor
LOVE IS A SECRET JOURNEY/HIDDEN PLACE.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the most typical context for the word 'amour'?