loved
Americanadjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of loved
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English; love ( def. ) + -ed 2 ( def. )
Compare meaning
How does loved compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
Your loved ones are the most important people in your life, usually your family members and closest friends. The adjective loved can describe anything you especially cherish. If you have objects, places, pets, or people in your life that you adore, you know what it means when something is loved. A toddler might insist on bringing her loved teddy bear everywhere. You'll often find this adjective modified by words like "well" or "much," and synonyms include "cherished" and "beloved."
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.
"Liberty was an incredibly strong person with a very strong sense of right and wrong. She was very opinionated, which I loved about her," Hannah said.
From BBC ● Oct. 16, 2026
Retaining a U.S. phone number means staying in touch with friends and loved ones is so much easier.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 16, 2026
“Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences remain with the individual involved, their family, friends and loved ones. We also continue to support the guests and team members affected,” a Six Flags spokeswoman said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 14, 2026
Who on Earth would genuinely want Fielder, the human equivalent of a skunk, to crash their last moments with their loved ones as he does his darnedest to stink up the place?
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 14, 2026
Clare loved the chase of Progress, that much he knew—ushering souls, tending to his garden, tidying his cottage.
From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
