beloved

beloved — adjective

1. treasured by someone with deep, lasting affection — used of a person, animal, pl

1.adjectiveC1
Definition

treasured by someone with deep, lasting affection — used of a person, animal, place, or object that holds a special place in the heart, such as a grandmother, a family pet, or a childhood home.

Example

Grandma Rosa kept her beloved photo album on the small wooden table by the window.

attributive: beloved + noun (cherished object)

The old farmhouse had been in the family for a century and was beloved by everyone.

predicative: be beloved by + somebody

Common collocations
  • beloved wife
  • beloved husband
  • beloved grandmother
  • beloved pet
  • beloved hometown
  • beloved by fans
  • much beloved
Synonyms
  • cherished

    very close in meaning; slightly less formal and more about active care

  • dear

    everyday word for the same idea; can also be a direct address ('my dear')

  • treasured

    stresses being kept safe because of value; common with objects and memories

  • adored

    stronger and more emotional; suggests almost worship-like feeling

Antonyms
  • hated

    direct opposite for strong dislike

  • despised

    formal; strong active contempt

  • unloved

    neutral opposite — receiving no love rather than being disliked

Grammar Patterns

beloved + noun

beloved by + somebody

Usage Note

Almost always attributive (before a noun) or in the pattern 'beloved by [someone]'. Carries warm, often nostalgic or solemn feeling, so it suits eulogies, dedications, and tributes more than everyday speech.

Common Mistakes

I really beloved my old bicycle.
I really loved my old bicycle.
'beloved' is an adjective, not a past tense verb.
The puppy is very beloved.
The puppy is much beloved by the children.
when used predicatively, pair with 'much' or 'by + person', not 'very'.

beloved — noun

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

These five words all describe someone or something held in deep affection, but they differ in tone and typical use. 'Beloved' is the most formal and often appears in tributes, dedications, or sad occasions like funerals — 'his beloved wife', 'a beloved teacher'. 'Dear' is the everyday counterpart and works in both speech and writing — 'my dear friend' sounds warm but ordinary. 'Cherished' stresses careful, ongoing care, often for memories or possessions — 'a cherished photograph'. 'Treasured' is similar to 'cherished' but leans toward objects and keepsakes — 'her treasured ring'. 'Adored' is the strongest and most emotional, hinting at near-worship — 'their adored baby boy'. So at a wedding you might say 'dearly beloved'; in a thank-you card, 'my dear aunt'; about an heirloom, 'a treasured gift'; and about a star athlete, 'adored by fans'.

beloved ↗dear ↗cherishedtreasuredadored

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • dearly beloved
  • much beloved by
  • beloved of generations
  • beloved family member

Prepositions

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishModern English

'Beloved' began life in Middle English as the past participle of the old verb 'belove', meaning 'to love deeply'. The verb itself fell out of use long ago, but the participle stayed alive as an adjective and later as a noun, keeping the strong sense of being loved with all one's heart. The 'be-' prefix here is an old intensifier, the same one seen in 'befriend' and 'become', signalling thoroughness or completeness of the action.