phrase

one love

wun LUV

One love (phrase) means a greeting or sign-off expressing unity, goodwill and shared humanity, rooted in Jamaican speech and Rastafarian belief and spread worldwide through reggae music, most famously the Bob Marley song of that name. Example: “Thanks for everything, brother. One love.”

phrase

informal A greeting or sign-off expressing unity, goodwill and shared humanity, rooted in Jamaican speech and Rastafarian belief and spread worldwide through reggae music, most famously the Bob Marley song of that name.

"Thanks for everything, brother. One love."

"He ended every broadcast the same way: peace and one love."

noun

The idea that all people belong to a single human family and should be treated as such, used as a slogan of unity and anti-racism.

"The mural read 'One Love' in letters three metres high."

How to Use One love

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA friendly way of saying peace and we're all one people.

When to use it

Informal, warm. Common as a sign-off in messages, captions and speech.

Memory tip

It is a farewell far more often than a description of a feeling.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

true love only love much love

Common pairings

one love, one heart peace and one love send one love

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

Thanks for everything, brother. _____.

Etymology

From Jamaican English and Rastafarian usage, where 'one' expresses oneness of all people; carried into international English by reggae.

Origin: Jamaican English

Synonyms

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peace respect blessings

Related Words

war respect peace violence honor prize regard silence

Rhymes for one love

love wove move cove hove Jove rove Dove above drove prove grove

See all rhymes for one love →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does someone mean when they say 'one love' to you?

It is a warm farewell, roughly equivalent to 'peace', 'take care' or 'much respect'. It signals goodwill and solidarity rather than romantic love, and no reply beyond 'one love' back is expected.

Is one love a romantic phrase?

Usually not. Despite the word love, it is about unity among people generally. It can be used romantically as wordplay, but the default meaning is communal.

Do you have to be Rastafarian to say it?

No. It is used widely in everyday speech well beyond Rastafari and Jamaica, though it is worth remembering where it comes from and using it sincerely rather than as decoration.

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