adore
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
verb
-
(tr) to love intensely or deeply
-
to worship (a god) with religious rites
-
informal (tr) to like very much
I adore chocolate
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of adore
First recorded in 1275–1325; from Latin adōrāre “to speak to, pray, worship,” from ad- ad- + ōrāre “to beg, plead, speak” ( see oration); replacing Middle English aour(i)e, from Old French aourer, from Latin
Explanation
Someone you adore gets put on a pedestal. Considering your fear of germs, when you told me that you had shared a toothbrush — I knew you must adore her! Adore comes from the Latin word adorare, meaning “to worship.” So when you adore someone, it's more than just a crush. However, like many words of strong emotion, adore gets used in lighter situations as well. Your aunt tells me you just adore the miniature fruitcakes she sends you every holiday.
Vocabulary lists containing adore
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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.
The company’s chief executive said her strategy for reviving the retailer is working, though concerns over tariffs, charges related to Adore Me and higher expenses sent shares lower.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 5, 2026
She went on to work with Halsey and with Styles, including writing his hit Adore You, as well as with Lizzo.
From BBC • Feb. 3, 2025
Adore Delano will come visit me, who was from my season as well.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 12, 2024
Last year, the Reynoldsburg, Ohio-based company bought online rival Adore me for $400 million in cash but Victoria’s Secret still delivered another quarter of sales drops for the period ended July 29.
From Washington Times • Sep. 7, 2023
Love but my dog and love my love, Adore with me a common star - I value not the rest above The ashes of a bad cigar.
From New Poems by Stevenson, Robert Louis
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
