Definition of Love
Quick Meaning of Love
Love means to have strong feelings of affection for a person, animal, or thing that you care about deeply.
Detailed Definition of Love
To have deep affection and care for someone or something.
How to Pronounce Love
Stress pattern: O (1-syllable word).
Tip: The 'o' sounds like the 'u' in 'cup'. The 'v' is voiced softly.
Watch out: Some learners pronounce it /loʊv/ (with long 'o') instead of /lʌv/.
Origin and Etymology of Love
From Old English 'lufu', related to Sanskrit 'lubh' (to desire).
How to Use Love in a Sentence
Each example shows “love” with a CEFR level so learners can pick examples that match their fluency.
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“I love my family more than anything in the world.”
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“She loves to play tennis every Saturday morning.”
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“Many poets have written about loving someone unconditionally throughout history.”
Synonyms and Antonyms of Love
Common Synonyms for Love
Smart Synonyms for Love — When to Use Each
- adore
- for deep admiration and romantic devotion
- cherish
- for valuing and protecting something dearly
Antonyms of Love
Common Collocations with Love
These phrases pair with “love” in everyday English:
- love someone
- love doing
- fall in love
- true love
Common Mistakes When Using Love
Even fluent speakers slip up with “love”. Here’s how to avoid the most common errors:
- ✗ Wrong: I love to playing soccer every weekend.
- ✓ Correct: I love playing soccer every weekend.
- Why: After 'love', use the gerund form directly, not 'to' + gerund.
- ✗ Wrong: She loved to lived in Paris when she was young.
- ✓ Correct: She loved to live in Paris when she was young.
- Why: Use base verb after 'to' (infinitive), not past tense.
Words Confused With Love
- Love vs Like: Love is stronger than like; like expresses preference, love expresses deep affection. Compare →
Other Forms of Love
Frequently Asked Questions About Love
What is the meaning of "Love"?
Love means to have strong feelings of affection for a person, animal, or thing that you care about deeply.
How do you pronounce "Love"?
The IPA is /lʌv/. The 'o' sounds like the 'u' in 'cup'. The 'v' is voiced softly.
What part of speech is "Love"?
"Love" is a verb at A1 level (Common European Framework).
What are synonyms for "Love"?
Common synonyms include adore, cherish, care for.
How do you use "Love" in a sentence?
For example: "I love my family more than anything in the world."