lovely

[luhv-lee]

adjective

lovelier, loveliest 

1. charmingly or exquisitely beautiful.

   a lovely flower.

2. having a beauty that appeals to the heart or mind as well as to the eye, as a person or a face.

3. delightful; highly pleasing.

   to have a lovely time.

4. of a great moral or spiritual beauty.

   a lovely character.

noun

plural

lovelies 

1. Informal.,  a beautiful woman, especially a show girl.

2. any person or thing that is pleasing, highly satisfying, or the like.

   Every car in the new line is a lovely.

adverb

1. Nonstandard.,  very well; splendidly.

lovely

/ ˈlʌvlɪ /

adjective

1. very attractive or beautiful

2. highly pleasing or enjoyable

   a lovely time

3. loving and attentive

4. inspiring love; lovable

noun

1. slang,  a lovely woman

Other Word Forms

• lovelily adverb
• loveliness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of lovely¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English luvelich, Old English luflīc “amiable”; love + -ly

Example Sentences

Ann also visited as a child with her parents: "Oh it was lovely. I loved it, I loved the waltzer."

From BBC

"It was a dream for us and we were really focusing on it as a lovely adventure. It's been traumatising."

From BBC

"The family is shocked by the tragic, sudden death of such a lovely down to earth man" the tribute added, as the family asked for privacy to grieve.

From BBC

I first tried a rustic version — ham and cheese tucked haphazardly among the buttered, glazed dough balls — and it was lovely in a messy, casserole-ish way.

From Salon

The moment a British person says to a neighbour, “Well, your garden is looking lovely today, Geoffrey,” you know for certain that Geoffrey is about to be murdered with a pickaxe.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• alluring 
• beautiful 
• captivating 
• charming 
• delicate 
• delicious 
• delightful 
• enchanting 
• engaging 
• exquisite 
• gorgeous 
• graceful 
• handsome 
• pleasant 
• pleasing 
• pretty 
• splendid 
• stunning 
• sweet 

When To Use

What are other ways to say lovely?

The adjective lovely describes people or things that are charmingly or exquisitely beautiful. How is it different from beautiful, handsome, and pretty? Learn more on Thesaurus.com.