Definitions

love

[luhv] / lʌv /

NOUN

adoration; very strong liking

Synonyms

STRONGEST

affection appreciation devotion emotion fondness friendship infatuation lust passion respect tenderness yearning

STRONG

adulation allegiance amity amorousness amour ardor attachment case cherishing crush delight devotedness enchantment enjoyment fervor fidelity flame hankering idolatry inclination involvement like partiality piety rapture regard relish sentiment weakness worship zeal

WEAK

ardency mad for soft spot

Antonyms

STRONGEST

animosity dislike enmity hate hatred ill will indifference neglect

STRONG

apathy coolness disloyalty misery sorrow treachery unhappiness

NOUN

person who is loved by another

Synonyms

STRONGEST

lover passion

STRONG

Romeo admirer angel beau beloved boyfriend darling dear dearest flame girlfriend honey inamorata inamorato paramour spark suitor swain sweet sweetheart truelove valentine

WEAK

Juliet courter dear one loved one

VERB

adore, like very much

Synonyms

STRONGEST

admire care for cherish choose go for prefer prize treasure worship

STRONG

adulate canonize deify esteem exalt fancy glorify idolize venerate

WEAK

be attached to be captivated by be crazy about be enamored of be enchanted by be fascinated with be fond of be in love with delight in dote on fall for gone on have affection for have it bad hold dear hold high long for lose one's heart to put on pedestal think the world of thrive with wild for

Antonyms

STRONGEST

despise dislike hate not care

STRONG

castigate condemn criticize debase degrade humiliate lower mock

WEAK

abstain scorn

VERB

have sexual relations

Synonyms

STRONGEST

embrace feel kiss

STRONG

caress clasp cling cosset court cuddle fondle hold hug lick neck pet press shine soothe stroke tryst woo

WEAK

draw close look tenderly make love take into one's arms

Antonyms

STRONG

ignore let go push away release

WEAK

abstain

Usage

What are other ways to say love?

Love may apply to various kinds of regard: the charity of the Creator, reverent adoration toward God or toward a person, the relation of parent and child, the regard of friends for each other, or romantic feelings for another person, etc. Affection is a fondness for others that is enduring and tender, but calm. Devotion is an intense love and steadfast, enduring loyalty to a person; it may also imply consecration to a cause.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is another word for love?

Where do we begin? Love is often classified and categorized in terms of what type of relationship is being discussed, such as with terms like romantic love and platonic love, or with fancier words like eros or agape. People who love each other romantically are said to be in love. Instantaneous love is called love at first sight. Love is often described in terms of how serious or deep it is, as in terms like true love and unconditional love, or whether it’s reciprocated, as in unrequited love. Synonyms for love that can imply varying levels of intensity or intimacy include fondness, affection, devotion, and adoration. Love is also used as a noun in the sense of a person you love or have loved romantically, as in She was my first love or It’s a story of two loves reunited. The word lover is sometimes used in the same way, but this typically implies a sexual relationship. The word love is also often used in the context of sex in euphemisms like make love. In more general contexts, we call the people we love loved ones. You might call someone my love as a term of endearment, much like my dear or my darling. Someone who is well loved is often described as beloved. As a verb, there are a few synonyms that are sometimes used for love, such as adore, admire, cherish, and even treasure. But many words don’t really capture the fullness and depth of what love can mean. For that, we usually look to the poets. Among the wisest said that Love is a battlefield. Others have said that Love is all you need (all you need is love). If you’ve been to a lot of weddings, you’ve heard that love is patient, love is kind—love never fails. Shakespeare didn’t say that Love is a many splendored thing, but he did say that Love sought is good, but given unsought is better. Love is a lot of things. Love is a four-letter word. LOVE is a sculpture in Philadelphia (the city of brotherly love—not to be confused with the other City of Love). In tennis, love is nothing. In life, love is everything. Some people see love as a feeling, an emotion. Others see it as an action. In this sense, perhaps the closest synonym for love is work. That’s what’s meant when it’s said that Love is a verb—love is a doing word. Sometimes, there’s no other word for it, no better way to say it: love is love.

What is a stronger word for love?

Synonyms for love tend to capture only some aspects or elements of love. The verb adore means to feel intense love for someone—and adoration can be mutual. Still, despite how common the word is, and how easily it gets tossed around, love is often the strongest word you can use. I love you may be a set phrase, but there really is no equal for it. Perhaps the strongest way to use the word love is not just to say it, but to prove you mean it by showing it. Of course, love is also commonly used as a way of saying you really like something, as in I love your shoes! In this case, love is the stronger word. Perhaps an even stronger way to say this is by avoiding a love/like construction altogether. For example, instead of saying I love your shoes, you could say Your shoes are fabulous! or Your shoes are EVERYTHING! or however you want to express how amazing they are.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"I knew where to go. This is the same hill that I love so much. I know what it requires to win here."

From Barron's

Putin uses his hours-long TV marathon both as a forum for fiery foreign policy statements and to offer up all sorts of advice on love and family matters, recite poetry or promise to fix potholes.

From Barron's

I believe he kissed me after walking me to my car, saying he’d love to see me again when he came back, but most of the date went forgotten in the following months.

From Los Angeles Times

He recognises that their approach is an unusual route to breaking through, but says: "If parody is what people love, then we'll keep them coming".

From BBC

“It just transports you,” Sanchez says of his love of the Mustang, adding that he first became aware of “American Icon” on a recent trip to mid-Wilshire’s Petersen Automotive Museum, which helped curate the exhibition.

From Los Angeles Times

love

Usage

Frequently Asked Questions

Example Sentences

Related Words