adore

[uh-dawr, uh-dohr]

verb (used with object)

adored, adoring 

1. to regard with the utmost esteem, love, and respect; honor.

   Synonyms: venerate, revere, reverence, idolize
   Antonyms: abhor

2. to pay divine honor to; worship.

   to adore God.

3. to like or admire very much.

   I simply adore the way your hair is done!

verb (used without object)

adored, adoring 

1. to worship.

adore

/ əˈdɔː /

verb

1. (tr) to love intensely or deeply

2. to worship (a god) with religious rites

3. informal,  (tr) to like very much

   I adore chocolate

Other Word Forms

• adorer noun
• adoringly adverb
• unadored adjective
• unadoring adjective
• unadoringly adverb
• adoring adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of adore¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; from Latin adōrāre “to speak to, pray, worship,” from ad- ad- + ōrāre “to beg, plead, speak” ( oration ); replacing Middle English aour(i)e, from Old French aourer, from Latin

Word History and Origins

Origin of adore¹

C15: via French from Latin adōrāre, from ad- to + ōrāre to pray

Example Sentences

And for reasons I still can’t fully articulate, I adored him.

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Mama adored us, but she was very orderly and from time to time she could be a bit strict.

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For a support who adore their football team, there is no room for sentiment here.

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It’s like if Ethan Hunt got on stage and explained everything he did to an adoring crowd before giving them all a monetary gift, Oprah-style.

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When I go out with my baby and toddler, they’re adored.

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Related Words

• admire 
• cherish 
• delight in www.thesaurus.com
• fall for 
• idolize 
• revere 
• worship