aromantic: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal/Technical, but increasingly used in everyday LGBTQ+ discourse
Quick answer
What does “aromantic” mean?
Experiencing little or no romantic attraction to others.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Experiencing little or no romantic attraction to others.
Relating to or characteristic of a person who does not experience romantic attraction; describing an orientation on the asexuality spectrum where romantic feelings are absent or minimal.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The term is used identically in both varieties within LGBTQ+ and academic contexts.
Connotations
Neutral to positive within affirming communities; may be misunderstood or unknown in general discourse.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English due to broader public discourse on gender and sexuality identities, but the difference is marginal.
Grammar
How to Use “aromantic” in a Sentence
to be aromanticto identify as aromanticto come out as aromanticVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “aromantic” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- She realised she was aromantic after years of confusing platonic and romantic feelings.
- The panel discussed aromantic representation in modern media.
American English
- He identifies as aromantic but not asexual.
- Aromantic Awareness Week is an important event for the community.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in diversity and inclusion contexts.
Academic
Used in psychology, sociology, and gender studies papers discussing sexual and romantic orientation spectra.
Everyday
Increasingly used in personal identity discussions and LGBTQ+ spaces.
Technical
Standard term in sexology and related fields for a specific romantic orientation.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “aromantic”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “aromantic”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “aromantic”
- Confusing 'aromantic' with 'aromantic' (a typo for 'aromatic').
- Using it as a synonym for 'unromantic' (not inclined to show romance).
- Assuming it automatically implies asexuality.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Aromantic refers to romantic attraction (or lack thereof), while asexual refers to sexual attraction. A person can be one, both, or neither.
Aromantic people typically do not experience romantic love. However, they can experience deep platonic, aesthetic, or queerplatonic love and form strong, committed non-romantic relationships.
No, it is considered an inherent orientation, much like being heterosexual or homosexual is not a choice.
Self-reflection on whether you experience romantic attraction is key. Many aromantic people report never having had a 'crush' or understanding the desire for a stereotypical romantic relationship.
Experiencing little or no romantic attraction to others.
Aromantic is usually formal/technical, but increasingly used in everyday lgbtq+ discourse in register.
Aromantic: in British English it is pronounced /ˌeɪ.rəʊˈmæn.tɪk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌeɪ.roʊˈmæn.tɪk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'A-' (without) + 'romantic'. A person without romantic attraction.
Conceptual Metaphor
ROMANTIC ATTRACTION IS A SPECTRUM (aromantic is at one end).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary distinction of the term 'aromantic'?