Love

UK: /ˈlʌv/ US: /lʌv/ ,(luv)

Inflections of 'love' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

loves

v 3rd person singular

loving

v pres p

loved

v past

loved

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

love /lʌv/   n., v., loved, lov•ing. 
n. 

1. [uncountable] a deep, tender, passionate affection for another person, esp. when based on sexual attraction.
2. a feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection:
   [uncountable] a mother's love for her child; love of one's country.
3. a person toward whom love is felt:
   [countable] He is the love of my life.
4. [countable] a love affair.
5. a strong enthusiasm or liking:
   [countable] a love of books.
6. the object of such liking or enthusiasm:
   [countable] The theater was her first love.
7. Sport [uncountable] a score of zero, as in tennis.

v. 

8. to have love or affection for:
   [~ + object] He loves her dearly.
9. to have a strong liking for: [~ + object]
   to love music.
   [~ + verb-ing]
   She loves playing tennis.
   [~ + to + verb]
   They love to go camping.
10. to feel the emotion of love:
    [no object] After the tragedy he felt he couldn't love again.

Idioms

11. Idioms in love (with), having or feeling deep affection or passion (for): [no object]
    I'm glad you're in love.
    [~ + object]
    She's in love with me.
12. Idioms make love, [no object] to have sexual relations.

love•less, adj. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

love  (luv), n., v., loved, lov•ing. 
n. 

1. a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person.
2. a feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection, as for a parent, child, or friend.
3. sexual passion or desire.
4. a person toward whom love is felt;
   beloved person;
   sweetheart.
5. (used in direct address as a term of endearment, affection, or the like):
   Would you like to see a movie, love?
6. a love affair;
   an intensely amorous incident;
   amour.
7. Medicine sexual intercourse;
   copulation.
8. (cap.) a personification of sexual affection, as Eros or Cupid.
9. affectionate concern for the well-being of others:
   the love of one's neighbor.
10. strong predilection, enthusiasm, or liking for anything:
    her love of books.
11. the object or thing so liked:
    The theater was her great love.
12. the benevolent affection of God for His creatures, or the reverent affection due from them to God.
13. Sport [Chiefly Tennis.] a score of zero;
    nothing.
14. a word formerly used in communications to represent the letter L.
15. Idioms for love:
    • out of affection or liking;
      for pleasure.
    • without compensation;
      gratuitously:
      He took care of the poor for love.
16. Idioms for the love of, in consideration of;
    for the sake of:
    For the love of mercy, stop that noise.
17. Idioms in love, infused with or feeling deep affection or passion:
    a youth always in love.
18. Idioms in love with, feeling deep affection or passion for (a person, idea, occupation, etc.);
    enamored of:
    in love with the girl next door; in love with one's work.
19. Idioms make love:
    • to embrace and kiss as lovers.
    • to engage in sexual activity.
20. Idioms no love lost, dislike;
    animosity:
    There was no love lost between the two brothers.

v.t. 

21. to have love or affection for:
    All her pupils love her.
22. to have a profoundly tender, passionate affection for (another person).
23. to have a strong liking for;
    take great pleasure in:
    to love music.
24. to need or require;
    benefit greatly from:
    Plants love sunlight.
25. to embrace and kiss (someone), as a lover.
26. to have sexual intercourse with.

v.i. 

27. to have love or affection for another person;
    be in love.
28. love up, to hug and cuddle:
    She loves him up every chance she gets.

• bef. 900; (noun, nominal) Middle English; Old English lufu, cognate with Old Frisian luve, Old High German luba, Gothic lubō; (verb, verbal) Middle English lov(i)en, Old English lufian; cognate with Old Frisian luvia, Old High German lubōn to love, Latin lubēre (later libēre) to be pleasing; akin to lief

Synonyms

• 1. tenderness, fondness, predilection, warmth, passion, adoration.
• 1, 2. Love, affection, devotion all mean a deep and enduring emotional regard, usually for another person.
  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, 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.
• 2. liking, inclination, regard, friendliness.
• 21. like.
• 22. adore, adulate, worship.

Antonyms

• 1, 2. hatred, dislike.
• 21, 22. detest, hate.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

love / lʌv/ verb

1. (transitive) to have a great attachment to and affection for
2. (transitive) to have passionate desire, longing, and feelings for
3. (transitive) to like or desire (to do something) very much
4. (transitive) to make love to
5. (intransitive) to be in love

noun

1. an intense emotion of affection, warmth, fondness, and regard towards a person or thing
2. (as modifier): love song, love story
3. a deep feeling of sexual attraction and desire
4. wholehearted liking for or pleasure in something
5. God's benevolent attitude towards humankind
6. humankind's attitude of reverent devotion towards God
7. Also: my love a beloved person: used esp as an endearment
8. a term of address, esp but not necessarily for a person regarded as likable
9. (in tennis, squash, etc) a score of zero
10. fall in love ⇒ to become in love
11. for love ⇒ without payment
12. for love or money ⇒ (used with a negative) in any circumstances: I wouldn't eat a snail for love or money
13. for the love of ⇒ for the sake of
14. in love ⇒ in a state of strong emotional attachment and usually sexual attraction
15. make love ⇒ to have sexual intercourse (with)
16. to engage in courtship (with)

Related adjective(s): amatory

Etymology: Old English lufu; related to Old High German luba; compare also Latin libēre (originally lubēre) to please