amorous
Americanadjective
-
inclined or disposed to love, especially sexual love.
an amorous disposition.
- Synonyms:
- passionate, sensual
-
showing or expressing love.
an amorous letter.
- Synonyms:
- tender, fond, impassioned, loving, amatory
-
of or relating to love.
amorous poetry.
- Synonyms:
- erotic
-
being in love; enamored.
She smiled and at once he became amorous of her.
adjective
-
inclined towards or displaying love or desire
-
in love
-
of or relating to love
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of amorous
First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin amōrōsus, equivalent to amor “love” + -ōsus -ose 1, -ous
Explanation
If you are shot with a mythological arrow by Cupid, the Greek god of love, you may find yourself feeling amorous. Amorous means having strong feelings of love, especially romantic love. Amorous words or glances show love or desire. This adjective is a Middle English word, borrowed from Middle French, from Medieval Latin amorosus, from Latin amor "love." A more literary and less common synonym is amatory.
Vocabulary lists containing amorous
All You Need is Love: Amor and Phil
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Romeo and Juliet
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"To His Coy Mistress" by Andrew Marvell
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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.
Amorous male Costa’s hummingbirds seduce females with their speedy “shuttle dances” and flashy purple plumage.
From Science Magazine • Jul. 30, 2018
In 1965, Mr. Johnson played a leading role in “The Amorous Adventures of Moll Flanders” opposite his then-wife, Kim Novak.
From Washington Post • Jun. 8, 2015
I played it over in my mind — an endless feedback loop of Denise and me in a screaming match with Peter and Poly Amorous.
From Salon • Mar. 18, 2013
He becomes a party entertainer, singing The Amorous Goldfish and There's a Hole in the Bottom of the Sea in drawing rooms while aristocratic guests snooze in their dinner jackets.
From Time Magazine Archive
Amorous affection reduces the world to two beings; a mother's love finds nothing of interest beyond her own progeny.
From The Enemies of Women (Los enemigos de la mujer) by Blasco Ib??ez, Vicente
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.
