adore

[ uh-dawr, uh-dohr ]

verb (used with object)

, a·dored, a·dor·ing.

1. to regard with the utmost esteem, love, and respect; honor.

   Synonyms: venerate, revere, reverence, idolize

   Antonyms: abhor

2. to pay divine honor to; worship:

   to adore God.

3. to like or admire very much:

   I simply adore the way your hair is done!

verb (used without object)

, a·dored, a·dor·ing.

1. to worship.

adore

/ əˈdɔː /

verb

1. tr to love intensely or deeply
2. to worship (a god) with religious rites
3. informal.
   tr to like very much

   I adore chocolate

Derived Forms

• aˈdoringly, adverb
• aˈdoring, adjective
• aˈdorer, noun

Other Words From

• a·dorer noun
• a·doring·ly adverb
• una·dored adjective
• una·doring adjective
• una·doring·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of adore¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; from Latin adōrāre “to speak to, pray, worship,” from ad- ad- + ōrāre “to beg, plead, speak” ( oration ); replacing Middle English aour(i)e, from Old French aourer, from Latin

Word History and Origins

Origin of adore¹

C15: via French from Latin adōrāre, from ad- to + ōrāre to pray

Example Sentences

A new ending to “Popular” allows Grande to light up the screen, twirling and kicking to the finish line of one of the musical’s most adored cuts.

From Salon

Despite travelling to every corner of the globe to play the sport he adores, he has never permanently left his hometown of Manacor.

From BBC

Again, my father adores Scotland, and you have a First Minister coming out and just being fairly nasty in the days leading up.

From BBC

Jackson grounds Georges and Albin’s de facto marriage in adoring love.

From Los Angeles Times

Instead of being adored, gulls tend to be more of a punchline.

From Salon

Related Words

• admire
• cherish
• delight in
• fall for
• idolize
• revere
• worship