10 Types of Love People Feel for Each Other

This is the fiery kind of love rooted in romantic attraction and sexual passion. Named after the Greek god of love, eros love often shows up in the early stages of romantic relationships.

Think intense longing, desire and physical attraction — but without necessarily involving a deeper emotional connection.

Often called "brotherly love," philia refers to the affection shared between best friends or close companions.

Unlike eros, philia isn’t about romance or sexual attraction. It involves feelings of loyalty, shared values and emotional connection. Ancient Greek philosophers saw it as one of the highest forms of human love.

This type of love flows naturally between family members. It’s the kind of affection you might feel for a sibling, child or parent.

Storge isn’t flashy, but it’s foundational. It grows from familiarity and long-term bonds and plays a huge role in our sense of emotional safety.

Ludus love is flirtatious, casual and fun. It shows up in the playful teasing and light-hearted banter you might have with a crush or a new romantic partner.

Ludus doesn’t always lead to long-term relationships, but it adds excitement to the early stages of romance.

Pragma is about commitment and long-term effort. Married couples who stay together for decades often exemplify this enduring love. It involves patience, understanding and the ability to grow with another person over time.

This type of love is built more on practicality than passion.

This is love taken to the extreme. Mania can involve emotional highs and lows, jealousy and an overwhelming focus on the object of affection. It can feel like true love but often reflects insecurity, low self-esteem or unresolved issues.

In relationships, such love can be intense but unhealthy.

Self-love isn’t vanity; it’s about appreciating yourself and recognizing your worth. Healthy self-love improves mental health and builds stronger interpersonal relationships.

Ancient Greeks saw philautia as essential to loving other humans well.

Agape is selfless, unconditional love. It’s the love we might feel for humanity as a whole, a higher power or even for strangers.

Often linked to spiritual traditions, agape asks nothing in return. It emphasizes compassion, empathy and altruism.

This form blends affection and commitment without intense sexual passion. It’s common in long-term partnerships where the flame may dim but the bond remains strong. Companionate love grows from shared experiences, mutual respect and quality time.

According to psychologist Robert Sternberg, consummate love includes all three key components: passion, intimacy and commitment. It’s rare but represents the ideal form of romantic relationships.

Such love requires effort to maintain — but when balanced, it feels like true love.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.