amorous
Americanadjective
-
inclined or disposed to love, especially sexual love.
an amorous disposition.
- Synonyms:
- passionate, sensual
-
showing or expressing love.
an amorous letter.
- Synonyms:
- tender, fond, impassioned, loving, amatory
-
of or relating to love.
amorous poetry.
- Synonyms:
- erotic
-
being in love; enamored.
She smiled and at once he became amorous of her.
adjective
-
inclined towards or displaying love or desire
-
in love
-
of or relating to love
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of amorous
First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin amōrōsus, equivalent to amor “love” + -ōsus -ose 1, -ous
Explanation
If you are shot with a mythological arrow by Cupid, the Greek god of love, you may find yourself feeling amorous. Amorous means having strong feelings of love, especially romantic love. Amorous words or glances show love or desire. This adjective is a Middle English word, borrowed from Middle French, from Medieval Latin amorosus, from Latin amor "love." A more literary and less common synonym is amatory.
Vocabulary lists containing amorous
All You Need is Love: Amor and Phil
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Romeo and Juliet
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"To His Coy Mistress" by Andrew Marvell
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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.
Omid, whose English surpasses Marjan’s own level, has excited such hopes, and the touchingly Chekhovian quasi-romance between them adds a gentle note of amorous wistfulness.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 11, 2026
Daryl and Carol share a different bond, something more than family but not quite amorous.
From Salon ● Sep. 29, 2024
The results do not just overturn previous theories about amorous and peaceful meetings between groups of people.
From Science Daily ● Feb. 8, 2024
“He builds them on the basis of elaborate improvisations, constructing long scenes of comic misadventures and amorous misunderstandings,” he wrote.
From New York Times ● Jun. 13, 2023
It h a menacing or amorous puff, similar to the grampus.
From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White
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.
