beloved
Americanadjective
noun
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
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"Romeo and Juliet" by William Shakespeare, Act II
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Michelle Obama's Speech at the 2016 DNC
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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.
See Examples For:
Alas, that victory was aided by a pair of crashes suffered by Kuss, the beloved Coloradan who was lucky to be saved by temporary fencing as he curled around a rocky descent.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026
Over the past 15 years, he’s quietly had a hand in the success of some beloved local businesses and major corporations.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 25, 2026
In fact, stir-fried lettuce is a beloved dish in Chinese culture, often eaten for good luck during Lunar New Year.
From Salon ● Jul. 25, 2026
Since the pop culture festival began in 1970, it has grown into a major event, with thousands of sometimes-costumed fans gathering in San Diego to buy memorabilia, see their idols and celebrate beloved stories.
From Barron's ● Jul. 23, 2026
Then Mrs. Maroney would return to my aunt’s side for more stories about a beloved behind bars.
From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan
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
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.
