beloved
Americanadjective
noun
adjective
noun
Other Word Forms
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.
The first trailer for the series was released in March this year, featuring beloved moments from the books, iconic set pieces, and glimpses of more of the central characters.
From BBC • May 6, 2026
Yet Jackson would not spend his final days living at his beloved home, but rather residing in a $100,000-a-month rented mansion in Los Angeles, where he died in 2009.
From MarketWatch • May 5, 2026
When the recently deceased mayor—the one whose funeral was mentioned several times during the trial—came up in discussion, he was described as beloved for his work on the city’s flowers.
From Slate • May 4, 2026
Nearly all of that dominance is thanks to Chinese giant DJI Technology, a maker of cheap but high-performance drones beloved by content producers, real-estate agents, factory inspectors and cash-strapped American police and fire departments.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 3, 2026
It nearly broke my heart to think of my beloved old mule.
From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan
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.
