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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.

The Technology Business Programming Network, beloved by decidedly “online” technology insiders, has been acquired by OpenAI for a figure in the “low hundreds of millions” of dollars, according to the Financial Times.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 3, 2026

Efforts to restore the beloved building, declared a historic monument soon after it was shuttered, have proved elusive.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

The Technology Business Programming Network, beloved by decidedly “online” technology insiders, has been acquired by OpenAI for a figure in the “low hundreds of millions” of dollars, according to the Financial Times.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 3, 2026

He added: "I wish to thank from the bottom of my heart all those who have reached out to me with kindness, my former colleagues, and my beloved listeners, who I greatly miss."

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

Known as French John, he carried away Dolley Madison’s bird, a prized macaw, and left her beloved pet safely at the French ambassador’s residence.

From "In the Shadow of Liberty" by Kenneth C. Davis