# old flame

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/old-flame
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A previous boyfriend or girlfriend; a former romantic or sexual partner, especially one for whom one still has romantic feelings.

## Examples

- She ran into an old flame at the grocery store.
- He felt nervous when he realized his old flame was invited to the same wedding.
- Despite the passage of many years, the unexpected encounter with an old flame stirred long-buried emotions within him.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.