adore

American  

[uh-dawr, uh-dohr] / əˈdɔr, əˈdoʊr /

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!

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verb (used without object)

adored, adoring

1. to worship.

adore British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of adore

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

Example Sentences

Although Ms. Morrone dominates the action and the visuals—and cinematographers Bobby Shore and Krzysztof Trojnar clearly adore her—the supporting cast also brings gifts to the ceremony.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 26, 2026

Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini play besties on ‘Dead to Me’ and adore each other in real life.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 3, 2026

All are quick to point out that they adore the goals of this project.

From Slate • Feb. 12, 2026

"The fans accept playing badly, but if you don't put the heart and your commitment for the people who adore the club more than we love it..."

From BBC • Dec. 27, 2025

“Good night. I adore you. Sleep well,” he said, and he kissed her hand and went away.

From "The Awakening" by Kate Chopin

Related Words

• admire
• cherish
• delight in
• fall for
• idolize
• revere
• worship