lovely
0 antonyms and opposites of lovely, grouped by meaning.
Adj — Beautiful or pleasing; delightful.
How to use lovely
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English luflic, "loving, amiable," from love plus the suffix -ly.
Full origin of lovely →Frequently asked questions
What does “lovely” mean?
The word “lovely” means beautiful or pleasing; delightful. In plain terms, very pleasant, beautiful, or nice.
How do you pronounce “lovely”?
“Lovely” is pronounced LUHV-lee (/ˈlʌv.li/ in IPA).
How do you use “lovely” in a sentence?
Here is “lovely” used in a sentence: “What a lovely view of the valley.”
What is another word for “lovely”?
Words with a similar meaning to “lovely” include beautiful, charming, lovable, lovesome and loving.
What part of speech is “lovely”?
Depending on how it is used, “lovely” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “lovely” come from?
The word “lovely” comes from Old English. From Old English luflic, "loving, amiable," from love plus the suffix -ly.
Is “lovely” a common word?
“Lovely” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “lovely” have?
“Lovely” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: beautiful or pleasing; delightful.
What is the difference between lovely and beautiful?
Beautiful is the stronger word, describing striking, impressive beauty that draws the eye. Lovely is warmer and gentler, suggesting something pleasing, charming, and delightful rather than breathtaking. A sunset can be beautiful in its grandeur, while a quiet afternoon can be lovely in its comfort. Lovely often carries genuine affection alongside admiration.
Is lovely a formal or informal word?
Lovely is fairly informal and conversational, common in friendly, everyday speech — especially in British English, where it also signals warm approval, as in 'lovely, thanks.' It is perfectly acceptable in writing but has a relaxed, personal tone, so more formal contexts might choose 'beautiful,' 'delightful,' or 'attractive' instead.
What is the opposite of lovely?
Opposites of lovely include unpleasant, horrible, and unattractive, depending on the sense meant. When lovely describes appearance, 'ugly' or 'plain' contrast with it, while for an experience, 'awful' or 'disagreeable' fit better. In each case, the opposite points to something that fails to please or delight.
What is an example of lovely?
You might call a lovely garden, a lovely meal, or a lovely person by that word. It suits a warm summer's evening, a thoughtful gift, or a kind gesture. In each case, lovely signals that something is pleasing and delightful, bringing quiet enjoyment rather than dramatic impact.