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Quotes On Love And Heartbreak

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Idioms about love

Origin of love

First recorded before 900; Middle English noun love, louve, luve, Old English lufu, cognate with Old Frisian luve, Old High German luba, Gothic lubō; verb derived from the noun; akin to Latin lubēre (later libēre ) “to be pleasing,” Slavic (Polish ) lubić “to like, enjoy,” see also lief

OTHER WORDS FROM love

outlove, verb (used with object), out·loved, out·lov·ing.o·ver·love, verb, o·ver·loved, o·ver·lov·ing.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

MORE ABOUT LOVE

What is a basic definition of love?

Love is an intense, deep affection for another person. Love also means to feel this intense affection for someone. Love can also refer to a strong like for something or to like something a lot. Love has many other senses both as a verb and a noun.

It is difficult to explain what love is. Love is one of the most intense emotions humans feel in life. It is the opposite of hate, another incredibly intense emotion. When you would do anything for a specific person, that’s usually because you feel love for them.

There are many kinds of deep affection you can have for another person, and they can all be described as love. The love you feel for your parents won’t be the same love you feel for a close friend or a romantic partner. You can also have a strong emotional bond with an animal, such as your dog. That, too, is love.

  • Real-life examples: Spouses hopefully feel love toward each other. It is expected that a parent will have feelings of love for their child. Valentine’s Day is a celebration of love.
  • Used in a sentence: The man always helped his daughter out of love for her. 

Love is used in this same sense to mean to feel love toward another person. People who romantically love each other are said to be “in love” and are called lovers. These terms generally imply romantic or sexual attraction.

  • Real-life examples: Romeo loved Juliet. Most parents love their children. A person often loves their boyfriend or girlfriend.
  • Used in a sentence: She loves her best friend like a sister. 

Love is also used to refer to a less passionate, but still strong, fondness for something.

  • Real-life examples: Athletes have a love of sports. Readers have a love of books. Artists may have a love of painting, music, or drawing.
  • Used in a sentence: His love of Paris led him to take many trips to France. 

In this sense, love can also be used to mean to really like something or someone. The word lover is used to mean a person who really likes something, as in a “dog lover” or a “food lover.”

  • Real-life examples: Cats love to chase things. Outgoing people love being around other people. Couch potatoes love television.
  • Used in a sentence: I love going to the zoo and seeing all the animals. 

Where does love come from?

The first records of love come from before the 900s. The noun comes from the Old English word lufu, and the verb comes from the Old English lufian. Both of these words are related to older words for love, such as the Old Frisian luve and luvia.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to love?

What are some synonyms for love?

What are some words that share a root or word element with love

What are some words that often get used in discussing love?

How is love used in real life?

Love is a very common word that people use to refer to others that they cherish or to things they really like.

Try using love!

Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of love?

A. affection
B. infatuation
C. desire
D. hate

WHEN TO USE

What are other ways to say love?

The noun love refers to a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person. When should you use love in place of affection or devotion? Find out on Thesaurus.com.

How to use love in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for love

love
/ (lʌv) /

verb
noun

Other words from love

Related adjective: amatory

Word Origin for love

Old English lufu; related to Old High German luba; compare also Latin libēre (originally lubēre) to please
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 Idioms and Phrases with love

love

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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