lovable

or love·a·ble

[ luhv-uh-buhl ]

adjective

1. of such a nature as to attract love; deserving love; amiable; endearing.

   Synonyms: affectionate, warm, tender, dear

lovable

/ ˈlʌvəbəl /

adjective

1. attracting or deserving affection

Derived Forms

• ˌlovaˈbility, noun
• ˈlovably, adverb

Other Words From

• lova·bili·ty lova·ble·ness noun
• lova·bly adverb
• un·lova·ble adjective
• un·lova·ble·ness noun
• un·lova·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of lovable¹

First recorded in 1300–50, lovable is from the Middle English word lovable, lufabille. See love, -able

Example Sentences

So instead of learning how to love, we’re fixated on how to attract love — or at least accumulate evidence that you are lovable.

From Time

He doesn’t sound all that lovable to Miss Manners, but then, she is not his parent.

From Washington Post

Like many of my generation, I came to love Leachman as Phyllis, the bonkers, exasperating, but lovable, and in her way, loving friend on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.”

From Washington Blade

He wants to transform from street rat to lovable bunny rabbit.

From Washington Post

At the end of the book — half-century-old spoiler alert — there is only himself, “lovable, furry old Grover,” a blue monster feeling sheepish about being scared.

From Washington Post

What they found was that most people preferred to work with the lovable fool rather than the competent jerk.

From The Daily Beast

“Adelie penguins are the most lovable, rollicking, comical kind,” the story read.

From The Daily Beast

“It paints the women as shrews, as humorless and uptight, and it paints the men as lovable, goofy, fun-loving guys,” she said.

From The Daily Beast

“We are aware that this is not exactly the most lovable of guys,” said one Cuomo aide.

From The Daily Beast

When it comes to food, no state is more lovable than South Carolina.

From The Daily Beast

Altogether an odd and difficult character, but with a generosity and high courage that made her very lovable.

From Project Gutenberg

She is one of those lovable little creatures that every body spoils!

From Project Gutenberg

Hadria had become more and more attached to the child, whose lovable qualities developed with her growth.

From Project Gutenberg

The elder Macintyre seemed to Thyrsis the most nave and lovable old soul he had encountered in many a year.

From Project Gutenberg

Truly, I think no man ever had a more lovable child, or a more grateful and appreciative one.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• adorable
• amiable
• appealing
• charming
• cuddly
• delightful
• engaging
• fascinating
• genial
• sweet