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.
Films, Warhammer and his beloved Liverpool FC are often mentioned, but many fans connect with the actor's posts about video games.
From BBC • Apr. 30, 2026
Pretzels, revered for their simplicity, have made a name for themselves as one of America’s most beloved snacks.
From Salon • Apr. 28, 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
He became a sort of mascot in Montmartre, his seedy, beloved neighborhood.
From "The Mona Lisa Vanishes" by Nicholas Day
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.
