amorous

[ am-er-uhs ]

adjective

1. inclined or disposed to love, especially sexual love:

   an amorous disposition.

   Synonyms: passionate, sensual

2. showing or expressing love:

   an amorous letter.

   Synonyms: tender, fond, impassioned, loving, amatory

3. of or relating to love:

   amorous poetry.

   Synonyms: erotic

4. being in love; enamored:

   She smiled and at once he became amorous of her.

amorous

/ ˈæmərəs /

adjective

1. inclined towards or displaying love or desire
2. in love
3. of or relating to love

Derived Forms

• ˈamorously, adverb
• ˈamorousness, noun

Other Words From

• amo·rous·ly adverb
• amo·rous·ness am·o·ros·i·ty [am-, uh, -, ros, -i-tee], noun
• non·amo·rous adjective
• non·amo·rous·ly adverb
• non·amo·rous·ness noun
• un·amo·rous adjective
• un·amo·rous·ly adverb
• un·amo·rous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of amorous¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin amōrōsus, equivalent to amor “love” + -ōsus -ose ¹, -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of amorous¹

C14: from Old French, from Medieval Latin amōrōsus, from Latin amor love

Example Sentences

Daryl and Carol share a different bond, something more than family but not quite amorous.

From Salon

The tongue-in-cheek, amorous advertisement, which has the energy of a typically seductive, enigmatic fragrance commercial mixed with a 90s late-night-tv-infomercial, says it's "surprisingly captivating, mysteriously alluring, the enchanting aroma of hot and handmade pretzels dripping with butter, it tantalizes every sense — and then some."

From Salon

"He takes her across St James's Park and it's spring and there's bluebells and birdsong and American GIs making out with the English girls, and he pulls from his pocket these silk stockings like an amorous magician and flirts with her," explains Mulley.

From BBC

Jazz greats Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Louis Armstrong gave their own sentimentalized retelling of their nomadic existence from the 1930s onward, portraying the jaunts as being as amorous as they were glamorous, a veritable luxury cruise along bucolic byways jammed with adulatory fans and a femme fatale or two.

From Los Angeles Times

If they achieve their amorous quest, there will be fewer baby mosquitoes than there would be if nature ran its course.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• erotic
• romantic