loved

loved — adjective

1. A loved person, animal, or thing is one that someone holds very dear and has dee

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

A loved person, animal, or thing is one that someone holds very dear and has deep positive feelings for — for example, a family member you are very close to, a pet that has been part of your life for years, or a tradition your family has kept for a long time.

Example

Mauricio's loved ones gathered at the airport to welcome him home.

fixed phrase 'loved ones' = family and close friends

The old library was a loved place where children discovered the joy of reading.

Common collocations
  • loved ones
  • well-loved + noun
  • much-loved + noun
  • dearly loved
Synonyms
  • cherished

    Very similar, but 'cherished' often carries a nuance of protective care, especially for memories, objects, or relationships.

  • adored

    Stronger than 'loved'; implies deep admiration and devotion.

  • beloved

    More formal and literary; suggests a very deep, lasting love.

  • treasured

    Emphasises that something is kept safe and valued highly, often with a sense of rarity.

Antonyms
  • unloved

    Not cared for or liked by anyone.

  • hated

    The strongest opposite; having strong negative feelings directed at someone or something.

  • disliked

    Milder opposite; not liked.

Grammar Patterns

loved + noun

well-loved / much-loved + noun

Usage Note

Often used in the fixed phrase 'loved ones' to refer to close family and friends. Before a noun, 'loved' alone can sound slightly formal or incomplete; the compounds 'well-loved' or 'much-loved' are more natural in many contexts (e.g., 'a well-loved actor').

Common Mistakes

She is a loved teacher by students.
She is a well-loved teacher.
Before a noun, use 'well-loved' or rephrase the sentence.

2. If you feel loved, you believe that people around you care about you deeply and

2.adjectiveB1
Definition

If you feel loved, you believe that people around you care about you deeply and want you to be happy. This sense describes a person's emotional experience of receiving affection and support, not the act of giving it.

Example

Greta felt truly loved by her adoptive parents from the very first day.

feel + loved + by + agent

Aaron said the cards from his classmates made him feel loved and supported.

make + object + feel + loved

Common collocations
  • feel loved
  • be loved
  • make someone feel loved
  • truly loved
  • deeply loved
  • safe and loved
Synonyms
  • cherished

    Can also follow a linking verb ('He felt cherished'), but is slightly more formal.

  • wanted

    Overlaps in meaning but emphasises being desired and included rather than receiving deep affection.

  • cared for

    More general; describes having needs met and attention given, not necessarily deep emotional love.

Antonyms
  • unloved

    The direct opposite; feeling that no one cares about you.

  • neglected

    Not receiving the attention or care you need.

  • unwanted

    Feeling as though others do not want you around.

Grammar Patterns

be + loved

feel + loved

make + object + feel + loved

Usage Note

Only used after linking verbs (be, feel, seem, become) or after 'make + object'. Cannot be placed directly before a noun with this meaning — saying 'a loved child' means 'a cherished child' (Sense 1), not 'a child who feels loved'.

Common Mistakes

He is a loved person.' (to mean he feels loved)
He feels loved.
Use a linking verb, not a noun phrase, to express this meaning.
She felt loved with her family.
She felt loved by her family.
Use 'by' to indicate who gives the love, not 'with'.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All five words describe someone or something held in high regard, but they differ in strength, register, and typical context. 'Cherished' emphasises careful, protective love — you might cherish a family heirloom or a childhood memory. 'Adored' is stronger and often carries admiration or worship; fans adore a singer, and a child might adore a grandparent. 'Beloved' is more formal and literary, suggesting a deep, public affection — a 'beloved leader' or a 'beloved novel'. 'Treasured' focuses on being kept safe and valued for rarity or sentimental reasons, like a treasured photograph. 'Dear' is the most common and all-purpose, used in everyday speech ('my dear friend'), but it is less intense than the other four. For everyday writing, 'loved' and 'dear' work well; for more emotional or formal contexts, choose 'beloved' or 'cherished'.

cherishedadoredbeloved ↗treasureddear ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • loved ones
  • loved pet
  • loved child
  • loved place
  • loved tradition

Adverbs

  • dearly loved
  • deeply loved
  • truly loved
  • well loved
  • much loved

Phrases

  • feel loved
  • make someone feel loved
  • need to be loved
  • safe and loved

Prepositions

  • loved by

Etymology

Proto-GermanicOld EnglishMiddle EnglishModern English

'Loved' is the past participle of the verb 'love', which comes from Old English 'lufian' (to love, to cherish), from Proto-Germanic *lubōną. The -ed suffix is the regular marker for past participles in English, but 'loved' gradually developed a life of its own as an adjective, especially in the compound 'well-loved' (first recorded in the 1500s) and the fixed phrase 'loved ones' (popularised in the 1800s). Today 'loved' functions as both a verb form and a standalone adjective in its own right.