love
/lʌv/ IELTSAcademic
noun
a very strong feeling of liking and caring for someone or something. It can also mean a romantic feeling for another person.
- Their love for each other is obvious.
- She has a deep love of music.
verb
to feel very strong affection for someone or something, or to like someone or something very much.
- I love my family.
- He loves spicy food.
noun
a person you are romantically involved with or care for deeply.
- He is the love of her life.
- She called him her first love.
Adinary Nuance
Love is stronger and warmer than like. It is also broader than affection, which is softer and less intense. In daily speech, love can sound emotional, romantic, or very personal, while fondness is milder and more reserved.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- yêu
- Spanish
- amor
- Chinese
- 爱
- Japanese
- 愛
- Korean
- 사랑
Etymology
From Old English lufu, from Germanic roots. It has been in English since before the 12th century and has kept its core meaning.
Common phrases
fall in lovetrue lovelove at first sighta love story
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is love stronger than like?
- Yes. **Love** shows much deeper feeling than **like**.
- Can I use love for food or hobbies?
- Yes. In everyday English, people say they love food, music, or sports.
- Is love formal or informal?
- It is common in both spoken and written English, but it can feel personal.
- What is the difference between love and affection?
- **Affection** is gentler. **Love** usually feels deeper and more intense.