Britannica Dictionary definition of LOVE
1
[noncount]
:
a feeling of strong or constant affection for a person
—
often + for
2
[noncount]
:
attraction that includes sexual desire
:
the strong affection felt by people who have a romantic relationship
-
a declaration of love
-
He was just a lonely man looking for love.
-
romantic love
-
unrequited love
-
After all these years, they're still very much in love (with each other). [=they still love each other]
—
often used before another noun
-
a love poem/song/letter
-
a love potion
-
a love scene/story
—
see also free love, puppy love
◊ When people begin to feel romantic love for each other, they fall in love.
◊ This phrase is also used figuratively.
◊ People are sometimes said to fall out of love when they stop loving each other.
◊ If people fall in love with each other when they first meet, it is called love at first sight. This phrase is also used figuratively.
3
[count]
:
a person you love in a romantic way
4
[singular]
chiefly British
a
:
a kind or helpful person
:
dear
b
—
used to address someone in a loving or friendly way
-
As long as you're up, (my) love, would you mind getting me a drink?
-
“How do I get to Trafalgar Square?” “Take the Number 24 bus, love.”
5
[noncount]
:
an expression of love and affection
-
When you see them again, please give them my love.
-
Mike and Meg send their love, too.
-
The gift had a note saying “With love from Meg & Mike.”
—
used to express affection at the end of a written message
-
Thanks for everything. Hope to see you soon. Love, Mike
-
Be well, my darling, till we meet again! Love and kisses, Meg
6
a
[singular]
:
a feeling of great interest, affection, or enthusiasm for something
—
often + for or of
-
We all knew about his love for baseball.
-
She has a love of history.
-
a love of good food
-
“Do you sell your paintings?” “Oh no: I paint just for the love of it.”
-
She's in love with the idea of becoming an actress.
b
[count]
:
something about which a person feels great interest or enthusiasm
7
[singular]
:
a score of zero in tennis
all's fair in love and war
—
see 1fair
for love or money
informal
or chiefly British
for love nor money
—
used to give added force to a negative statement
for the love of God
informal
also
for the love of Mike/Pete
—
used to give added force to an angry statement
love is blind
— used to say that people do not see the faults of the people that they love
make love
:
to have sex with someone
no love lost
◊ When there is no love lost or very little love lost between people, they dislike each other.
— loveless
/ˈlʌvləs/
adjective
[more loveless; most loveless]
2
love
/ˈlʌv/
verb
loves;
loved;
loving
loves;
loved;
loving
Britannica Dictionary definition of LOVE
1
:
to feel great affection for (someone)
:
to feel love for (someone)
[+ object]
[no object]
2
[+ object]
:
to feel sexual or romantic love for (someone)
-
He swore that he loved her madly.
-
He loves her, but she doesn't love him back. [=she doesn't return his love]
-
She said she could never marry a man she didn't love.
3
[+ object]
a
:
to like or desire (something) very much
:
to take great pleasure in (something)
—
often followed by to + verb
-
I would love to have you come with us.
-
She loved to play the violin.
-
“Would you like to join us?” “Yes, I'd love to (join you).”
—
often + -ing verb
b
informal
:
to be very amused by (something)
4
[+ object]
:
to do very well in (certain specified conditions)
I must love you and leave you
British, informal
—
used to say that you have to leave
loved one
◊ Your loved ones are the people you love, especially members of your family.