love
Love (verb) means to feel deep affection or care for someone or something. Example: “She loves her family more than anything.”
How to use love
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA strong feeling of deep affection or enthusiasm for someone or something.
Word forms
loved past tense, love plural, loved plural, Loves plural, loves singular, love singular, loved singular, lovest singular, loveth singular, lovedst singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She _____ her family more than anything.
Etymology
From Old English lufu, from a very old root shared across most European languages.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for love
See all rhymes for love →Frequently asked questions
What does “love” mean?
The word “love” means to feel deep affection or care for someone or something. In plain terms, a strong feeling of deep affection or enthusiasm for someone or something.
How do you pronounce “love”?
“Love” is pronounced LUHV (/ˈlʌv/ in IPA).
How do you use “love” in a sentence?
Here is “love” used in a sentence: “She loves her family more than anything.”
What is another word for “love”?
Words with a similar meaning to “love” include cherish, go to bed with, sleep with, cling to, care for and dote.
What is the opposite of “love”?
The opposite of “love” — its antonyms — are hate, despise and fear.
What part of speech is “love”?
Depending on how it is used, “love” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “love” come from?
The word “love” comes from Old English. From Old English lufu, from a very old root shared across most European languages.
Is “love” a common word?
“Love” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between loving someone and being in love with them?
To love someone is to feel deep, lasting affection and care — something you can feel for family, friends, or a partner. Being 'in love' usually adds romantic attraction, longing, and infatuation, often at the start of a relationship. You can love someone deeply for years without still being 'in love' in that intense, romantic sense.
What are the different types of love?
People often describe several kinds: romantic love between partners, familial love for relatives, platonic love between friends, and self-love. The ancient Greeks named more, including eros for passion, philia for friendship, storge for family affection, and agape for selfless, unconditional love. Though the feeling varies, each centres on deep care for someone or something.
Is love a feeling or a choice?
It is often both. Love begins as an emotion — a spontaneous pull of affection you don't decide to feel. But lasting love also involves choice: the daily decision to care, commit, and act kindly even when the feeling fades. Many people see mature love as feeling and action working together over time.
Can you love someone and not like them?
Yes. Loving someone means feeling deep affection and care for them, often because of a bond you share. Liking is about enjoying their company or approving of how they behave. It's common, especially within families, to love a person deeply while disliking their choices or finding them difficult to be around.
Example sentences
Real-world examples showing love in context, drawn from published sources. Any opinions expressed are those of the original source and do not reflect the views of FreeDict.com.
Sean and Amora from Love Island Season 8 showed Bea some love after her VICTORY at the USATF Outdoor & Para National Championships.
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