Love
/lʌv/
Definitions
4 meaningsAn intense feeling of deep affection.
/lʌv/
A strong feeling of affection.
She felt overwhelming love for her children.
💡 Simply: Love is when you feel super happy and care a lot about someone or something. Like, when you're excited to see your best friend or when you really love playing a game!
👶 For kids: Love is a feeling that makes you happy and want to be with someone.
More Examples
The couple's enduring love was an inspiration to others.
He expressed his love through acts of service.
How It's Used
"Their love for each other was evident."
"Romeo and Juliet is a famous story about love."
To have deep affection for; to feel love toward.
/lʌv/
To feel deep affection for.
She loved her grandmother dearly.
💡 Simply: To love someone is like when you really, really like them and want to be around them and do nice things for them. Like, when you love your dog and give it treats!
👶 For kids: To love someone is like when you think they are very special and you like being with them.
More Examples
He loves playing the guitar.
I love to read books on the weekends.
How It's Used
"He loves his family deeply."
"They loved each other for many years."
A person or thing that one loves or is very fond of.
/lʌv/
A person or thing that one loves.
Music was her great love.
💡 Simply: Sometimes love means the person or thing you love! Like, your pet might be your love because you care about it so much!
👶 For kids: Someone or something you love.
More Examples
He called his wife the love of his life.
The children were the loves of their parents' lives.
How It's Used
"His great love was his dog."
"She was the love of his life."
A score of zero in tennis or some other sports.
/lʌv/
In tennis, a score of zero.
The game started with a score of love-fifteen.
💡 Simply: In tennis, love means zero! No points yet!
👶 For kids: In tennis, love means zero.
More Examples
He won the set 6-0, love was the score for the other player.
How It's Used
"The score was love-all at the start of the game."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
fall in love
To begin to feel romantic love for someone.
"They fell in love at first sight."
love at first sight
The experience of falling in love with someone the first time you see them.
"He believed in love at first sight."
make love
To engage in sexual intercourse.
"They made love passionately after their first date."
for the love of (something)
Expressing exasperation or frustration. It's a way to plead, beg, or complain about something.
"For the love of Pete, turn off the TV!"
From Old English *lufu*, from Proto-Germanic *lubō* ('love, affection'), from Proto-Indo-European *leubh- ('to care, desire, love').
The word 'love' has been used in English for centuries, reflecting a range of emotions from romantic affection to familial bond.
Memory tip
Think of the feeling you have for your best friend or family member.
Word Origin
"to care, desire, love"