beloved
Americanadjective
noun
adjective
noun
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
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.
Seeing these beloved characters together again was always going to be a delight for anyone who enjoyed the first film.
From Salon • May 1, 2026
Surrounded by her family and beloved horses, Bright says she is "at peace" with the decision to retire after what she describes as the most challenging two years of her life.
From BBC • Apr. 30, 2026
"It costs so much to run a small business in New York City that our beloved local restaurants are forced to charge these prices just so they can survive, not even thrive," he added.
From Barron's • Apr. 28, 2026
Traces of glyphosate appear in some popular pantry staples, including cereals and snacks that are beloved by children.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 27, 2026
“It is now 2½ months since my beloved so suddenly departed this life,” she wrote to family and friends in late January 1970.
From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield
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.
