love
love — verb
1. to feel deep warmth and emotional attachment toward someone you have a close rel
to feel deep warmth and emotional attachment toward someone you have a close relationship with — for example, a romantic partner, a parent, a child, or a very close friend.
Eshe loved her younger brother deeply and always watched over him.
love + family member as object
On their fifth anniversary, Christopher told Mira that he loved her more than ever.
love + romantic partner; telling someone you love them
The children knew their grandmother loved them because she baked their favourite treats every week.
Even after the argument, Rafael still loved Ada and wanted to make things right.
Ritu's parents loved both their children with equal care and never showed favouritism.
- love deeply
- love unconditionally
- love someone dearly
- love someone with all your heart
Grammar Patterns
love + someone
Usage Note
The object is usually a person or group of people. Unlike 'like', this sense expresses a deep emotional bond and is rarely used for casual or temporary feelings.
Common Mistakes
2. to get great pleasure from an activity, object, or experience — to like it much
to get great pleasure from an activity, object, or experience — to like it much more than most other things.
Trang loves reading novels about historical figures and faraway places.
love + gerund (doing)
Kenji loves his new camera and takes it with him on every trip.
love + noun phrase
The girls loved the surprise party that their classmates had quietly organised.
Anya loves to eat fresh bread with butter for breakfast every morning.
love + to-infinitive
The Watanabe family loves hiking in the mountains during autumn when the leaves turn red.
- love doing something
- absolutely love
- love every minute of
- love the way
- adore
slightly stronger and more emotional than love for things
- be crazy about
informal; expresses enthusiastic enjoyment
- be fond of
gentler than love; suggests steady affection rather than intense pleasure
Grammar Patterns
love + noun phrase
love + doing (gerund)
love + to-infinitive
Usage Note
Commonly used with a gerund (loves swimming) or a to-infinitive (loves to swim). The object can be any activity, food, object, or experience that brings strong enjoyment.
Common Mistakes
3. used to express a strong desire for something to happen or to obtain something —
used to express a strong desire for something to happen or to obtain something — often when politely requesting, accepting an invitation, or stating a heartfelt wish.
Eli said he would love to visit Japan if he had enough time off work.
would love + to-infinitive for a wish
Defne would love a hot cup of tea after the long walk in the rain.
would love + noun phrase for something desired
We would love for you to come to the wedding celebration next spring.
would love + for + someone + to-infinitive
Élise invited me on the trip, and I told her I would love to come.
- would love to
- would love for
- would absolutely love
- would like
softer and more neutral than would love; can be used in any register
- would be delighted to
more formal and enthusiastic than would love
- am dying to
informal; very strong and eager desire
- would hate to
direct opposite; strong reluctance
- would rather not
mild preference against something
Grammar Patterns
would love + to-infinitive
would love + noun phrase
would love + for + someone + to-infinitive
Usage Note
Almost always used with 'would' in conditional form; the simple present 'love' without 'would' does not convey polite desire. Common in invitations and offers: 'I would love to, but…' is a typical polite refusal pattern.
Common Mistakes
love — noun
1. a very strong, warm feeling that makes you care deeply about someone, such as a
a very strong, warm feeling that makes you care deeply about someone, such as a romantic partner, a parent, a child, or a close friend.
Roya's love for her grandmother showed in the letters she wrote each week.
love for + family member
The love between Camila and her twin brother grew stronger after they moved abroad.
A parent's love for a child does not depend on the child's grades at school.
parent's love for + child
Wren wrote a poem about the love he felt for his hometown by the sea.
The Chen family's love of music brought the whole neighbourhood together every Saturday.
love of + interest or activity
- deep love
- unconditional love
- true love
- love for
- love of
- mother's love
- family love
Usage Note
Uncountable in this sense — you say 'her love for her children', not 'a love for her children' (though 'a love of music' is possible when referring to enthusiasm).
Common Mistakes
2. a person you have a romantic relationship with and feel very close to.
a person you have a romantic relationship with and feel very close to.
Baraka brought flowers home to his love after the long business trip.
bring flowers to [one's] love
After ten years apart, Yan finally reunited with his first love from college.
first love
When the ship docked, Gita ran into the arms of her waiting love.
Reuben whispered a secret to his love while they sat by the old oak tree.
- first love
- true love
- one true love
- lost love
- old love
- sweetheart
more informal and affectionate; common in spoken English
- beloved
more formal and literary; often used in wedding vows or poetry
- darling
used as both a noun and a term of address; very affectionate
Usage Note
Often paired with possessive pronouns ('my love', 'her love', 'his one true love'). 'First love' refers to the first person you ever loved romantically.
Common Mistakes
❌ 'My love is a doctor and she works at the hospital.' — This is actually correct, but can be confused with sense 1 (the feeling). In informal conversation, using 'boyfriend' or 'girlfriend' is clearer for Taiwanese learners.
3. a friendly word used when speaking directly to someone you know well, especially
a friendly word used when speaking directly to someone you know well, especially in British English, to show warmth or care.
'Don't worry, love, everything will be fine,' said the nurse to the elderly patient.
friendly address in caring situations
Élise smiled at the waiter and said, 'Could I have some more water, love?'
'Thanks for holding the door, love!' called the elderly woman from the shop entrance.
'See you tomorrow, love,' Asher said to his flatmate as he left for work.
Usage Note
Common in British English but rare in American English, where 'honey', 'sweetie', or 'dear' are more typical. Can be used between strangers in service situations (waiters, shopkeepers) and between friends or family.
Common Mistakes
❌ Using 'love' to address a stranger in formal situations in American English — it may sound odd or overly familiar. Stick to neutral address forms like 'excuse me' or 'sir/madam' in the US.
4. a word placed just above your signature in a personal note for someone you know
a word placed just above your signature in a personal note for someone you know well, as a warm way of signing off.
Madison ended her letter to her cousin with 'Love, Madison' and a small drawing.
'Love, [Name]' closing pattern
The postcard from Lien simply said 'Wish you were here — Love, Lien.'
When Camila wrote to her aunt in Japan, she always signed off with 'Love.'
The message ended with 'Take care, love from all of us' and a family photo.
love from + group
- love from
- love + [name]
- with love
- all my love
- lots of love
Usage Note
Used only with people you have a close relationship with. For formal or business correspondence, use 'Sincerely', 'Best regards', or 'Yours faithfully' instead.
Common Mistakes
5. the state of having strong romantic and sexual feelings for someone, often shown
the state of having strong romantic and sexual feelings for someone, often shown through a close relationship or physical affection.
After twelve years together, Baraka and Roya were still deeply in love.
be deeply in love
The novel tells the story of two people in love during the war.
Gita knew she was in love when she missed Yan every moment he was away.
The song describes the happiness of making love on a quiet summer night.
make love — euphemism for sexual intimacy
- be in love
- deeply in love
- madly in love
- hopelessly in love
- make love
- be infatuated
suggests a strong but often short-lived attraction, less deep than being in love
- be enamoured
more formal; implies being charmed or captivated by someone
Grammar Patterns
be in love with [someone]
make love to [someone]
Usage Note
'Be in love' describes an ongoing emotional state. 'Make love' is a polite or romantic way of referring to sexual activity between two people who love each other. Distinguish from sense 6 ('fall in love'), which describes the process of entering this state.
Common Mistakes
6. the process of starting to have strong romantic feelings for someone and becomin
the process of starting to have strong romantic feelings for someone and becoming emotionally attached to them.
Rachel and Asher fell in love during a rainy camping trip in the mountains.
fall in love during [event]
The film shows how two strangers gradually fall in love over one summer.
Lien fell in love with the tiny fishing village the moment she arrived.
fall in love with + place
Amira and Mateo fell in love during a long train ride across the mountains.
fall in love during [event] — natural, unplanned process
- fall in love
- fall in love with
- fall head over heels in love
- fall madly in love
- become smitten
informal; suggests a sudden, strong attraction, often at first sight
- develop feelings for
milder and more gradual than 'fall in love'; describes growing affection
- fall out of love
the process of losing romantic feelings for someone
Grammar Patterns
fall in love with [someone]
Usage Note
The fixed phrase 'fall in love' describes the transition into a romantic state. It can also be used with places or things ('fell in love with the city') as an extension of the romantic metaphor. Distinguish from sense 5 ('being in love'), which is the state after falling.
Common Mistakes
7. the feeling of great enjoyment or strong interest that someone has for a particu
the feeling of great enjoyment or strong interest that someone has for a particular activity, subject, or thing
Rania's love of classical music began when her grandmother played the piano for her.
love of + noun phrase (the thing enjoyed)
The old community library was maintained with love by local volunteers.
uncountable: maintained with love
Felix discovered a deep love for photography during his trip to Japan.
love for + noun phrase
For many young readers, a love of stories begins with picture books at bedtime.
Zola's love of cooking led her to open a small restaurant in the city centre.
- love of
- love for
- deep love
- great love
- genuine love
- passion
stronger and more intense than love; suggests an all-consuming interest
- enthusiasm
focuses on active eagerness and excitement rather than deep affection
- fondness
gentler and less intense; suggests a warm, mild liking rather than strong devotion
Grammar Patterns
love + of + noun phrase
love + for + noun phrase
Usage Note
Uncountable noun. Often followed by 'of' or 'for' plus the activity or thing that someone enjoys. Unlike sense 1, this sense does not refer to romantic or family affection.
8. an activity, object, or person that someone greatly enjoys or feels very fond of
an activity, object, or person that someone greatly enjoys or feels very fond of
Nila's first love was horseback riding, although she later took up sailing.
first love — a favourite activity from one's past
For Christopher, live jazz is a particular love that he shares with his brother.
Wei considers his old bicycle one of his greatest loves, even though it rarely works.
possessive + love: his greatest loves
The guitar was Adina's teenage love, and she practised for hours every evening.
Élise has many hobbies, but painting remains her one true love above all others.
one true love — fixed phrase for a favourite
- first love
- great love
- true love
- particular love
Grammar Patterns
possessive + love
first love
Usage Note
Countable noun, often used with a possessive adjective (my, his, her) or in the phrase 'first love'. Distinguish from sense 7: sense 7 is the feeling of enjoyment, while sense 8 is the thing or activity that causes that feeling.
9. a term in tennis meaning that a player or team has not yet won any points at all
a term in tennis meaning that a player or team has not yet won any points at all
The umpire announced the score as forty-love after Sayaka's powerful serve.
score format: forty-love (server's score first)
Anong fought back from love-thirty to win the next three points in a row.
love-thirty means the receiver has zero points
Heloísa served three aces in a row, giving her a comfortable love-forty lead.
In tennis, when neither player has scored, the game starts at love-love.
love-love — the starting score
- love-fifteen
- love-thirty
- love-forty
- forty-love
- love-love
- to love
Grammar Patterns
number + love
love + number
Usage Note
Only used in tennis, squash, badminton, and similar racket sports. The server's score is always given first, so 'forty-love' means the server has forty points and the opponent has zero.
Common Mistakes
10. physical intimacy between two people, especially the act of sexual intercourse
physical intimacy between two people, especially the act of sexual intercourse
The final scene of the film shows the two main characters making love by candlelight.
make love — the common verb phrase for this sense
In many traditional societies, people rarely spoke openly about making love.
The Victorian novel described their night of love only through careful hints and symbols.
night of love — a poetic euphemism
Emily's poetry course examined how Renaissance poets wrote about love between spouses.
The couple's decision to make love for the first time is handled gently in the story.
- make love
- night of love
- love scene
- sex
more direct and common in everyday speech; less formal or literary
- intercourse
clinical or formal; less emotionally warm than love in this sense
Grammar Patterns
make love
night of love
Usage Note
Often expressed through the phrasal verb 'make love' rather than the bare noun. This sense is formal or literary; in everyday speech, speakers usually say 'have sex' or 'sleep together'.
Common Mistakes
In certain difficult situations, any action is considered acceptable to achieve what you want.
Maya took the last ticket, but all's fair in love and war.
Diego lied to get the promotion, believing all's fair in love and war.
cupboard love
idiomAffection shown by someone, especially a child, only to get something they want.
The cat's sudden friendliness was just cupboard love for treats.
Little Sara gave her dad a hug, but it was cupboard love for candy.
Doing something without expecting payment or any reward.
Aiden teaches guitar classes just for the love of music.
She bakes cakes for the love of it, never charging a penny.
for the love of God
idiomUsed to express anger or impatience when asking someone to do something.
For the love of God, please turn down that loud music!
For the love of God, why did you lie to me?
Used to ask someone to pass along your good wishes to another person.
Give my love to your grandmother when you see her.
Send my love to Tom and tell him I miss him.
Completely and deeply in love with someone.
Mia fell head over heels in love with her new neighbor.
After just one date, Brian was head over heels in love.
a labour of love
idiomA difficult task done for personal satisfaction rather than for money or duty.
Restoring the old car was a labour of love for my uncle.
For Sara, knitting sweaters for her family is a labour of love.
Used at the end of a letter or message to a friend or loved one before your name.
See you soon. Lots of love, Emma.
Write back soon. Love from Diego.
love is blind
idiomWhen you love someone, you do not notice their faults or flaws.
Maya thinks her boyfriend is perfect, but love is blind.
Love is blind; she ignores his bad habits completely.
To have sex with someone.
They made love for the first time on their wedding night.
The couple made love under the stars.
Used to say that something is completely impossible to obtain or do.
I couldn't find a parking spot for love nor money.
You can't get tickets for that show for love or money.
Two people dislike each other and do not hide it.
There's no love lost between the two rival politicians.
There is little love lost between my cat and the neighbor's dog.
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: verb/1
All four verbs describe a strong positive feeling toward someone, but they differ in intensity and focus. 'Love' is the most general and widely used — it covers everything from family bonds to romantic attachment. 'Adore' adds a layer of reverence and admiration; you might adore a romantic partner or a child, but it sounds too emotional for casual relationships. 'Cherish' emphasises the act of valuing and protecting someone over time — it often carries a sense of gratitude and care rather than passion. 'Treasure' focuses on regarding someone as precious and irreplaceable, like something you would never risk losing. For example: 'I love my sister' is natural and neutral. 'I cherish every moment with my grandmother' highlights appreciation. 'I treasure the friendship we built over the years' suggests you hold it as very valuable.
Common collocations
Etymology
Rooted in the Old English noun 'lufu' (strong affection) and verb 'lufian' (to feel deep affection for). These come from the Proto-Germanic root *lubō, which traces further back to the Proto-Indo-European root *lewbʰ- (to care for, desire). English 'love' is related to German 'Liebe', Dutch 'liefde', and Swedish 'love' — all carrying the same core meaning of warm attachment.