bromance: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, colloquial, journalistic. Often humorous or slightly ironic.
Quick answer
What does “bromance” mean?
A close, affectionate, non-sexual friendship between two men.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A close, affectionate, non-sexual friendship between two men.
Can be used humorously or critically to describe the intensity or exclusivity of a male friendship; sometimes extended metaphorically to describe close cooperation or alliance between entities (e.g., companies, political figures).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term originated in American pop culture but is now equally common in the UK. Spelling and meaning are identical.
Connotations
Slightly more likely to be used with a knowing, humorous edge in British English; in American English, it can be used more matter-of-factly in entertainment journalism.
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both varieties due to globalised media.
Grammar
How to Use “bromance” in a Sentence
[Subject] + have/develop + a bromance + with + [Person]The bromance + between + [Person A] + and + [Person B] + is...[Person A]'s bromance + with + [Person B]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bromance” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They were bromancing all through the festival.
- Those two presenters just bromance on air.
American English
- The actors bromanced their way through the press tour.
- They're totally bromancing.
adverb
British English
- They gazed bromantically at the football highlights.
- He spoke bromantically about his co-star.
American English
- They hugged bromantically after the game.
- They're living bromantically ever after.
adjective
British English
- Their bromantic holiday photos went viral.
- The film has a strong bromantic subplot.
American English
- They share a bromantic vibe.
- The show is full of bromantic moments.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used jokingly to describe a very close partnership between two male CEOs or colleagues.
Academic
Very rare. Might appear in media studies, sociology, or gender studies discussing modern masculinity.
Everyday
Common in informal conversation, social media, and discussion of celebrities, sports, or TV shows.
Technical
Not used in technical contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bromance”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bromance”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bromance”
- Using it to describe a sexual relationship (this contradicts its core definition).
- Using it for friendships between women (the female equivalent is 'womance' or 'sismance', but these are far less common).
- Capitalising it (it's not a proper noun).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the term is specific to male friendships. Equivalent terms for women like 'womance' or 'sismance' exist but are not standard or widely recognised.
Usually, but it can sometimes be used teasingly or critically to suggest the friendship is overly exclusive, childish, or performative.
'Bromance' implies a particularly close, affectionate, and devoted friendship between men, often with a level of emotional openness that challenges traditional stereotypes of male friendships.
Yes, informally (e.g., 'They bromanced all night'). This is a playful, recent development from the noun.
A close, affectionate, non-sexual friendship between two men.
Bromance is usually informal, colloquial, journalistic. often humorous or slightly ironic. in register.
Bromance: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbrəʊ.mæns/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbroʊ.mæns/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A bromance for the ages”
- “Bromance is in the air (humorous)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: BRO (as in brother/buddy) + ROMANCE (but without the romance). A 'romance' between bros.
Conceptual Metaphor
CLOSE MALE FRIENDSHIP IS A ROMANCE (without sex).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'bromance' LEAST likely to be used appropriately?