lonely-hearts

[lohn-lee-hahrts]

adjective

1. of or for people seeking counseling or companionship to bring love or romance into their lives.

   a lonely-hearts column in the newspaper.

lonely hearts

adjective

1. (often capitals) of or for people who wish to meet a congenial companion or marriage partner

   a lonely hearts advertisement

Word History and Origins

Origin of lonely-hearts¹

First recorded in 1930–35; probably most closely associated with the novel Miss Lonelyhearts by Nathanael West (1902?-40)