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

“I absolutely adore it,” she said.

From BBC

I adore the sound of bread courses.

From Salon

That’s worth something, given the tens of millions of people who adore him.

From Slate

He did walk towards the Kop to deliver a wave to the Liverpool fans who still adore him after applauding his own supporters, but this was a chastening night for Alonso, a night for the home supporters not to wonder about what might have been, but to revel in what they have under Slot.

From BBC

I cannot express enough how much I adore a group of creative people getting together and making something.

From Salon

Related Words

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