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cupboard love

American

noun

a personal attachment that appears to be motivated by love but in fact stems from the hope of gain.

cupboard love British

noun

a show of love inspired only by some selfish or greedy motive

"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

cupboard lover

noun

Etymology

Origin of cupboard love

First recorded in 1750–60

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.

Ancient Greeks had no word for cupboard love, but, undoubtedly, this is a love the vast majority of animal pets may feel for us.

From The Guardian • Jul. 16, 2019

You'll find the basket in the cupboard, love.

From Good Luck by Meade, L. T.

"It's all cupboard love with them," he said.

From The Belton Estate by Trollope, Anthony

He has a cupboard love for Sarah, but I think that his affection for me is simon-pure.

From Mavis of Green Hill by Baldwin, Faith

"It's cupboard love as brings you out so sharp," he said, his voice resounding in the cold darkness.

From The Rainbow by Lawrence, D. H. (David Herbert)

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023