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Synonyms

beloved

American  
[bih-luhv-id, -luhvd] / bɪˈlʌv ɪd, -ˈlʌvd /

adjective

  1. greatly loved; dear to the heart.

    Synonyms:
    darling, sweet, precious

noun

  1. a person who is greatly loved.

beloved British  
/ bɪˈlʌvɪd, -ˈlʌvd /

adjective

  1. dearly loved

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a person who is dearly loved, such as a wife or husband

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • prebeloved adjective
  • superbeloved adjective
  • unbeloved adjective

Etymology

Origin of beloved

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English biloved “loved,” past participle of biloven “to like, love”; equivalent to be- + love + -ed 2

Compare meaning

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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.

The Technology Business Programming Network, beloved by decidedly “online” technology insiders, has been acquired by OpenAI for a figure in the “low hundreds of millions” of dollars, according to the Financial Times.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 3, 2026

The Technology Business Programming Network, beloved by decidedly “online” technology insiders, has been acquired by OpenAI for a figure in the “low hundreds of millions” of dollars, according to the Financial Times.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 3, 2026

Earlier this year, the Bronx-born Dominican actor reprised her breakthrough TV role as Carla Espinosa on the reboot of the beloved ABC medical sitcom, “Scrubs.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026

Huerta is also a revered and beloved figure in the farmworkers movement with many schools and streets named in her honour - although not nearly as many as Cesar Chavez.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

He’s still convinced one of us may develop an interest in his beloved language, even though I’ve informed him there’s a zéro percent chance of that happening.

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller