lovely
LUHV-lee
Lovely (adj) means Beautiful or pleasing; delightful. Example: “What a lovely view of the valley.”
adj
1
Beautiful or pleasing; delightful.
"What a lovely view of the valley."
"We had a lovely time at the wedding."
"It was such a lovely morning that we had breakfast in the garden."
noun
1
British informal: an attractive person.
"The tabloids called her "a real lovely.""
"Who's that lovely in the red dress over by the bar?"
"He grinned and said she was a proper lovely."
How to use lovely
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishVery pleasant, beautiful, or nice.
UK vs US
Extremely common as a general term of approval in British English, often more so than in American English.
Common pairings
a lovely day
how lovely
lovely to see you
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Word forms
- Plural
- lovelies
- Comparative
- lovelier, more lovely
- Superlative
- loveliest, most lovely
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
What a _____ view of the valley.
Etymology
From Old English luflic, "loving, amiable," from love plus the suffix -ly.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for lovely
See all rhymes for 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.
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