loving
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
- lovingly adverb
- lovingness noun
- nonloving adjective
- unloving adjective
Etymology
Origin of loving
First recorded before 1000; Middle English lovyng; replacing Middle English lovende, Old English lufiende; see love, -ing 2
Explanation
Someone loving is affectionate and caring. Your loving grandmother might be your favorite grandparent because she clearly adores you. You can be a loving sister or a loving babysitter, and you can also describe kind things you do as loving, like the loving hug you give your sad friend or your uncle's loving gesture of sending your aunt flowers on her birthday. The adjective loving comes from the Old English lufian, "to love or approve," from the root lufu, "love, affection, or friendliness."
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.
That’s where you go on a website and make up a lot of lies to trick someone into loving you.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026
He is loving it and proudly accepting "my 15 minutes of fame".
From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026
For now, quantum investors are loving what the company has to say about the nascent industry’s potential.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026
In “London Falling,” Patrick Radden Keefe investigates how Brettler, the well-educated son of loving parents, went overboard, and whether he was forced by mutual friends.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026
I’m charmed by Grandma Sarah, by all the loving Elders here.
From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith
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.
