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Synonyms

beloved

American  
[bih-luhv-id, -luhvd] / bɪˈlʌv ɪd, -ˈlʌvd /

adjective

  1. greatly loved; dear to the heart.

    Synonyms:
    darling, sweet, precious

noun

  1. a person who is greatly loved.

beloved British  
/ bɪˈlʌvɪd, -ˈlʌvd /

adjective

  1. dearly loved

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • prebeloved adjective
  • superbeloved adjective
  • unbeloved adjective

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

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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.

"Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning," his family said in a statement posted to his social media accounts.

From BBC

"Our beloved James David Van Der Beek passed peacefully this morning. He met his final days with courage, faith, and grace," read a post on his Instagram page.

From Barron's

He’s still convinced one of us may develop an interest in his beloved language, even though I’ve informed him there’s a zéro percent chance of that happening.

From Literature

His cross-country supremacy has made him one of the most famous and beloved athletes in a country that idolizes the stars of winter sports.

From The Wall Street Journal

Like Hoffman, Witherspoon singled out a beloved family member in her speech — her grandmother — after accepting the leading actress award from Jamie Foxx.

From Los Angeles Times