A crush in love is a strong but often unexpressed and temporary feeling of romantic attraction towards someone.
Understanding the term "crush" when referring to romantic feelings is quite common, especially during youth or when experiencing initial attractions. Based on common definitions and the provided reference, a crush signifies a specific type of romantic affection.
Key Characteristics of a Crush
According to the reference, a crush has several defining characteristics:
- Strong Romantic Feeling: It involves a significant sense of romantic attraction towards another person.
- Often Unexpressed: This feeling is typically not revealed to the person it's directed towards.
- Temporary: Crushes usually do not last for a long duration. They are often fleeting feelings.
- Associated with Youth: The reference notes that the person experiencing a crush is typically young or behaving/feeling like a young person.
This makes a crush distinct from more mature or long-lasting forms of love.
Examples of Crushes
- A childhood crush on a classmate or teacher.
- Having a crush on a celebrity or someone you admire from afar.
- Feeling a strong, sudden attraction to someone you've just met, which might fade quickly.
Crushes vs. Love
While a crush is a form of romantic feeling, it differs from deeper, more enduring love in several ways:
- Depth: Crushes are often based on superficial aspects or initial attraction, whereas love tends to be deeper and based on knowing the person well.
- Duration: Crushes are temporary; love is typically long-lasting and committed.
- Expression: Crushes are often secret; love is usually expressed and shared openly.
In summary, a crush is a specific type of romantic attraction characterized by its intensity, often unexpressed nature, short duration, and association with youthfulness or youthful feeling.