loved
Americanadjective
Other Word Forms
- unloved adjective
- well-loved adjective
Etymology
Origin of loved
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English; love ( def. ) + -ed 2 ( def. )
Compare meaning
How does loved compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
Your loved ones are the most important people in your life, usually your family members and closest friends. The adjective loved can describe anything you especially cherish. If you have objects, places, pets, or people in your life that you adore, you know what it means when something is loved. A toddler might insist on bringing her loved teddy bear everywhere. You'll often find this adjective modified by words like "well" or "much," and synonyms include "cherished" and "beloved."
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.
"She just loved it instantly and she doesn't want to get off it since."
From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026
The joyous response from loved ones to Indie's cute interactions with animals and nature led him to share it more widely.
From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026
She loved it so much, she went back permanently and began encouraging other American doctors to move there.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026
During his first campaign, he loved to yell it out on stage at his rallies with a snarling expression, which made the crowds go wild.
From Salon • Apr. 23, 2026
This is the energy I loved when we volunteered at the half-marathon three years ago.
From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison
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.
