love

/lʌv/
noun, verbBeginner strong affection or deep emotional attachment
general

A profound feeling of affection and attachment toward someone or something.

His love for music inspired him to become a composer.

His deep passion for music motivated him to pursue a career in composition.

💡

Can refer to romantic, familial, or platonic affection.

general

To have a strong affection for someone or something.

She loves spending time with her friends.

She enjoys and cherishes moments with her friends.

💡

Often used to express enjoyment or appreciation.

Collocations

fall in loveto begin to feel romantic love for someonelove at first sightimmediate romantic attraction upon seeing someoneunconditional lovelove without restrictions or conditions

Related Phrases

love is blindproverb
people in love often overlook flaws in their partner
make lovephrase
to engage in sexual activity

💡Pro Tip

Common Usage

Use 'love' for strong affection, but for casual liking, 'like' is more appropriate.

Gold Rule

Romantic vs. Platonic

'Love' can describe romantic or non-romantic affection; context clarifies the type.

📖Word Origin

Old English 'lufu', from Proto-Germanic 'lubō', meaning 'love, affection'. Related to Old Norse 'lufu' and Gothic 'lubō'.

📝Usage Notes

Can be used as a noun or verb. As a verb, it often implies enjoyment or appreciation.

Word Breakdown

love
strong affection
root
English Dictionary