beloved
Americanadjective
noun
-
beloveds
plural
adjective
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of beloved
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English biloved “loved,” past participle of biloven “to like, love”; equivalent to be- + love + -ed 2
Compare meaning
How does beloved compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
Your beloved is someone you love. You can also talk about a beloved pet or possession. You probably have some things you really love: a bike, a skateboard, a book, a DVD, maybe a souvenir from a trip. Those are beloved possessions — you really like them a lot. People also talk about beloved family members, beloved pets, and beloved friends. This is a word for things and people you're crazy about. And if you're feeling really crazy on Valentine's Day, go ahead and tell your crush that she's your beloved.
Vocabulary lists containing beloved
Love Letter Words for Valentine's Day
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"Romeo and Juliet" by William Shakespeare, Act II
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Michelle Obama's Speech at the 2016 DNC
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
See Examples For:
For a month, they had waited and worried about the fate of their beloved Jack Russell terrier, Luna, who disappeared with fate uncertain among the predators and wildlife in Yellowstone National Park.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 17, 2026
Encouragement from his longtime confidante and collaborator helped the comedian write about the loss of his beloved home before Reiner’s tragic killing in December 2025 alongside his wife, Michele, in Brentwood.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 15, 2026
We’re left with little to enjoy except feeble reiterations of beloved characters and a hokey dual search for romance.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 15, 2026
Nintendo is betting that magic still works with a remake of the beloved action-adventure classic "The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time", due out on November 5.
From Barron's ● Oct. 15, 2026
The titles were all in German, but there was no mistaking the illustrations of Edith-Anne Pevington and her beloved pony, Rainbow, on the covers.
From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood
But mostly, I now truly dress for myself and my beloveds, who all want me to be comfortable and have a good time.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 2024
“The biggest gift by far of these two movies for me is just the friendships with these beloveds in my life,” Steenburgen said.
From Seattle Times ● May 10, 2023
Fittingly, Pru, who’d long felt ashamed for lacking a defining passion, will demonstrate consummate passion in her nonstop exertions to care for beloveds and, never least, to survive.
From Washington Post ● Jun. 20, 2021
“Go Tell It on the Mountain” is, in other words, among my beloveds.
From New York Times ● Dec. 4, 2020
Even the beloveds, wonderfuls, luckies and so on were all Dones, and the awfuls were Not-Dooes.
From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions 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.
