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Synonyms

lovemaking

American  
[luhv-mey-king] / ˈlʌvˌmeɪ kɪŋ /

noun

  1. the act of courting or wooing.

  2. sexual activity.


lovemaking British  
/ ˈlʌvˌmeɪkɪŋ /

noun

  1. sexual play and activity between lovers, esp including sexual intercourse

  2. an archaic word for courtship

"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

Etymology

Origin of lovemaking

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; see origin at love, making

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.

See Examples For:

His performance feels awkward at first—like Jason Biggs or Will Ferrell fretting about lovemaking and analysts in a late-era Woody Allen film—but it becomes more convincing as the play progresses, as does the play itself.

From The New Yorker Nov. 5, 2018

The idea of a sort of highborn Oxford, circa 1900, fits the play's alfresco gaieties, elaborate forms, donnish humor and prankish but decorous lovemaking.

From Time Magazine Archive

Most of the tragedies in the novel result not from too much lovemaking but too much getting even.

From Time Magazine Archive

His name is Valancourt, and his idea of passionate lovemaking is to beseech, if Emily thinks him "not unworthy such honour," whether he "might be permitted sometimes to enquire after your health."

From Time Magazine Archive

Long before spring Billy was forced to own to herself that her fancied security from lovemaking on the part of Cyril no longer existed.

From Miss Billy by Porter, Eleanor H. (Eleanor Hodgman)

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