love
love
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "love" is /lʌv/.
/lʌv/
Word Form Variations
Noun: love (singular), loves (plural)
Verb: love (base form), loves (third person singular present), loving (present participle), loved (past simple, past participle)
Adjective: loving (present participle used adjectivally), loved (past participle used adjectivally)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: An intense feeling of deep affection, care, and strong liking for someone or something.
Synonyms: affection, adoration, devotion, fondness, passion, tenderness, warmth
Antonyms: hatred, dislike, aversion, animosity, indifference, contempt
Definition 2: A person or thing for whom one has deep affection.
Synonyms: beloved, dear, darling, sweetheart, passion, joy
Antonyms: enemy, adversary, bane, tormentor
Definition 3: A strong liking or enthusiasm for something.
Synonyms: fondness, liking, passion, zeal, relish, enthusiasm
Antonyms: aversion, dislike, disinterest, distaste, apathy
Definition 4: (In sports like tennis or squash) A score of zero.
Synonyms: nothing, zero, nil, duck (cricket)
Antonyms: point, score, advantage
Definition 5: (Used as a term of endearment, often informally) Dear or darling.
Synonyms: dear, darling, sweetheart, honey, sweetie
Antonyms: (No direct antonym, as it's a term of endearment)
Verb
Definition 1: To feel a deep, tender, strong affection for (someone).
Synonyms: adore, cherish, dote on, worship, idolize, care for
Antonyms: hate, detest, despise, loathe, abhor, scorn
Definition 2: To like or enjoy (something) very much.
Synonyms: enjoy, relish, delight in, appreciate, be fond of, be keen on
Antonyms: dislike, hate, dread, abhor, be averse to
Definition 3: To feel romantic or sexual passion for (someone).
Synonyms: adore, be enamored of, be infatuated with, be attracted to
Antonyms: repel, spurn, reject, abhor
Definition 4: (Informal) To obtain great pleasure or satisfaction from something.
Synonyms: relish, savor, revel in, thrive on
Antonyms: detest, find unpleasant, be bored by
Adjective (Present Participle 'loving' and Past Participle 'loved' used adjectivally)
Loving (Adjective): Feeling or showing great care or affection.
Synonyms: affectionate, caring, devoted, tender, warm, doting
Antonyms: unloving, cold, indifferent, hostile, callous, cruel
Loved (Adjective): Regarded with deep affection; cherished.
Synonyms: cherished, beloved, adored, treasured, dear, precious
Antonyms: disliked, hated, scorned, unloved, rejected
Examples of Use
Books:
"It was a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife." (Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, 1813) - This classic opening explores the societal pursuit of "love" and marriage.
"He felt an overwhelming surge of love for his children, a fierce protectiveness that transcended all else." (Fictional example from a family saga or drama)
"The philosopher argued that true love is not merely an emotion but a commitment of will and action." (From a non-fiction book on philosophy or ethics)
Newspapers:
"Local charities urge the public to show some love to orphaned children by donating food and clothes." ("Daily Nation,")
"The city council expressed its love for green spaces by announcing plans for a new public park." ("The Standard,")
"In a surprising upset, the top-seeded tennis player was defeated, losing the final set 6-0, or 'six love,' as it's known." ("The New York Times,")
Online Publications:
"How to keep the love alive in a long-distance relationship: Expert tips." (An article on a relationship advice blog, e.g., "Psychology Today Online,")
"Our readers share why they love their smart home devices: convenience, security, and more!" (A tech review or opinion piece on "TechRadar,")
"Show your support by hitting the 'Love' reaction on our latest Facebook post!" (A common call to action on social media, e.g., "Facebook,")
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "I'm also just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her." (Julia Roberts as Anna Scott in Notting Hill, 1999)
Television Series: "This season, our contestants must prove their love for cooking by mastering complex culinary techniques." (Instructions on a cooking competition show, e.g., MasterChef)
Song Lyrics: "All you need is love. All you need is love. All you need is love, love. Love is all you need." (The Beatles, "All You Need Is Love," 1967)
Video Games: "Your character must earn the love of the villagers to unite them against the invading forces." (In-game objective or plot point in an RPG, e.g., Stardew Valley)
Podcasts: "In this episode, we explore the science behind love and attachment in human relationships." (A podcast on psychology or human behavior, e.g., "Hidden Brain")
General Public Discourse:
"I love the new restaurant downtown; their food is amazing!" (Expressing strong enjoyment)
"Will you marry me? I love you more than anything." (A proposal)
"My kids absolutely love playing in the park." (A parent talking about their children's preferences)
"I send my love to your family, hope they're all doing well." (A polite closing in a conversation or message)
"It's a true love story; they've been together for fifty years." (Describing a long-lasting relationship)
"Tennis score: 30-love." (A common announcement in a tennis match)
10 Famous Quotes Using Love
“Where there is love there is life.” – Mahatma Gandhi
“Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies.” – Aristotle
“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” – Lao Tzu
“To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides.” – David Viscott
“Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
“The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.” – Eden Ahbez
“Love is not only something you feel, it is something you do.” – David Wilkerson
“Love doesn’t make the world go 'round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile.” – Franklin P. Jones
“We accept the love we think we deserve.” – Stephen Chbosky
“Love is a friendship set to music.” – Joseph Campbell
Etymology
The word "love" has very deep and ancient roots in the English language.
It comes from the Old English word lufu, which already meant "love, affection, friendship" as a noun, and lufian as a verb, meaning "to love, to cherish, to show affection."
This Old English word traces back even further to a Proto-Germanic root (lubō) and an even older Proto-Indo-European root (leubh- or leubʰ-) which meant "to care, to desire, to like, to be fond of." This ancient root is why you'll find similar concepts and related words in other Indo-European languages.
The first known use of "love" in English, both as a noun meaning "deep affection" and as a verb meaning "to feel deep affection for," dates back to before the 9th century (Old English period). So, "love" is a truly fundamental and ancient word that has carried its core meaning through many centuries of English history.
The specific sense of "zero score in tennis" is a much later and more puzzling development, appearing around the 18th century, likely from the French phrase "l'oeuf" (the egg), which sounds like "love" and refers to a zero score, perhaps because an egg looks like a zero. This specific usage is a distinct side branch in the word's history.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Love
Fall in love: To begin to feel romantic love for someone.
Make love: (Euphemism) To engage in sexual intercourse.
For love or money: For any reason; under any circumstances (usually used in negative constructions).
Love at first sight: Immediate romantic attraction upon seeing someone for the first time.
Labor of love: Work done for pleasure or out of devotion rather than for payment.
Tough love: Love expressed in a stern or demanding way, with the aim of helping someone.
No love lost between (them): There is strong dislike or animosity between two people.
Love-hate relationship: A relationship characterized by conflicting feelings of both love and hatred.
Puppy love: Infatuation or superficial romantic attachment, especially among young people.
Love handles: (Informal) Rolls of fat on a person's sides.
To send one's love: To convey affectionate greetings.
To be head over heels in love: To be deeply and madly in love.
To do something with all one's heart: To do something with great passion and sincerity. (Synonymous with "doing something with love")
The ties that bind: Strong emotional connections, especially those of affection and loyalty. (Synonymous with "bonds of love")
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of love from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
