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.
“They had God and a home they could sometimes return to, and they could be sure God loved them.”
From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026
"My friends and I don't really have the heart or energy to watch the World Cup, even the teams we loved," he said.
From Barron's • May 18, 2026
He will be remembered, mourned and loved by so many.
From BBC • May 17, 2026
The jingle first aired in the 1990s and has been loved and loathed by listeners ever since.
From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2026
“How Mama would have loved everything about today!”
From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom
Definitions 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.
