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)

Example Sentences

For a few hours at least, novels with protagonists like these allow me, one of so many busy bees in New York City’s go-go honeycomb, to flail vicariously, a smug literary tourist among the lonely-hearts and lost souls.

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The hunt and capture of lonely-hearts con artist Richard Scott Smith is at the center of this Showtime thriller.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The rise of apps catered towards lonely-hearts with specific tastes in bedfellows has brought about Raya — a private, membership-based network for celebrities and non-famous rich people, Christian Mingle — for those who'd prefer to pray and play, and now The Right Stuff — a dating app for right-wingers who would hear Beyoncé's call to swipe "to the left, to the left" and shudder.

Read more on Salon

The protagonist of “Found Wanting,” Stuart’s 2020 short story, has placed a lonely-hearts ad: “M — 17, Discreet, Not Out.”

Read more on New York Times

Lonely-hearts schemes: Regulators say that more schemers are striking up online romances with the lonely and homebound, then persuading them to part with their money.

Read more on Seattle Times