adorable
uh-DAW-ruh-buhl
Adorable (adj) means So cute or charming that it inspires affection. Example: “The kitten curled up in the basket looked adorable.”
adj
1
So cute or charming that it inspires affection.
"The kitten curled up in the basket looked adorable."
"The puppy was absolutely adorable."
"She has the most adorable laugh."
How to use adorable
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishExtremely cute or lovable.
Common pairings
absolutely adorable
adorable puppy
adorable smile
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more adorable
- Superlative
- most adorable
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The kitten curled up in the basket looked _____.
Etymology
From Latin adorabilis ("worthy of adoration"), from adorare ("to adore").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for adorable
See all rhymes for adorable →Frequently asked questions
What does “adorable” mean?
The word “adorable” means so cute or charming that it inspires affection. In plain terms, extremely cute or lovable.
How do you pronounce “adorable”?
“Adorable” is pronounced uh-DAW-ruh-buhl (/əˈdoɹ.əˌbəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “adorable” in a sentence?
Here is “adorable” used in a sentence: “The puppy was absolutely adorable.”
What part of speech is “adorable”?
“Adorable” is an adjective.
Where does the word “adorable” come from?
The word “adorable” comes from Latin. From Latin adorabilis ("worthy of adoration"), from adorare ("to adore").
Is “adorable” a common word?
“Adorable” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between adorable and cute?
Adorable is the stronger word: it describes something so cute or charming that it inspires affection. Cute is a milder, broader compliment, so a pleasant photo might be cute while a puppy falling asleep mid-play is adorable.
Can you call an adult adorable?
Yes, though tone matters. Applied to adults, adorable sounds affectionate and playful, but it can come across as patronising depending on the relationship. It is most naturally used of babies, children, animals, and endearing habits or gestures.
Is adorable formal or informal?
Adorable leans conversational and is very common in speech and social media. In formal writing, alternatives such as charming, delightful, or endearing usually fit the register better.
What are the noun and adverb forms of adorable?
The noun form is adorableness and the adverb is adorably, as in an adorably clumsy kitten. Adorable is related to the verb adore, which means to love or admire deeply.
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