loved one

American  

noun

1. a close or cherished relation.

   to mourn the loss of our loved ones.

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Etymology

Origin of loved one

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

Their reunion is surreal because it’s predicated on their mutual ability to admit fault, something that few of us have the opportunity to do after we walk away from a loved one scorned.

From Salon • Apr. 24, 2026

Grieving often prompts frantic spelunking missions—rereading old letters or texts, scouring your camera roll and random social media accounts for any scrap of a memory of your loved one.

From Slate • Apr. 23, 2026

That would be a humanoid robot that looks like your loved one and speaks with that person’s voice.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026

People were often too afraid to speak up about a missing loved one.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

I understand the fear that overcomes someone when a loved one is lost.

From "The Freedom Writers Diary" by The Freedom Writers

Related Words

• lover
• passion