beloved

[bih-luhv-id, -luhvd]

adjective

1. greatly loved; dear to the heart.

   Synonyms: darling, sweet, precious

noun

1. a person who is greatly loved.

beloved

/ bɪˈlʌvɪd, -ˈlʌvd /

adjective

1. dearly loved

noun

1. a person who is dearly loved, such as a wife or husband

Other Word Forms

• prebeloved adjective
• superbeloved adjective
• unbeloved adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of beloved¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English biloved “loved,” past participle of biloven “to like, love”; equivalent to be- + love + -ed ²

Example Sentences

He gives Hatton credit for putting his beloved football club - now giants of the world game - in the spotlight.

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Eight years ago, he’d been present at the Super Bowl when his beloved New England Patriots came back from 28-3 down to beat the Atlanta Falcons.

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Velasco seems to be under no illusion that his beloved land, and culture, would remain untouched by progress.

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Her former captain at Olympic Division sent out a glowing email just as she was about the leave the station in early 2024, asking her colleagues to join him in congratulating their “beloved” sergeant.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The Condor Club acknowledged “the tragic death of our beloved general manager Mark Calcagni” in a Wednesday statement, saying that his sudden passing has been met with shock and sorrow.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• admired www.thesaurus.com
• cherished www.thesaurus.com
• dear 
• esteemed 
• favorite 
• hallowed 
• loved 
• popular 
• prized www.thesaurus.com
• respected www.thesaurus.com
• revered 
• treasured www.thesaurus.com
• venerated www.thesaurus.com
• well-liked