An Encylopedia Britannica Company

love

1 love /ˈlʌv/ noun
1 love
/ˈlʌv/
noun
Britannica Dictionary definition of LOVE
[noncount] : a feeling of strong or constant affection for a person
often + for
[noncount] : attraction that includes sexual desire : the strong affection felt by people who have a romantic relationship
often used before another noun
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.
[count] : a person you love in a romantic way
[singular] chiefly British
: a kind or helpful person : dear
used to address someone in a loving or friendly way
[noncount] : an expression of love and affection
used to express affection at the end of a written message
[singular] : a feeling of great interest, affection, or enthusiasm for something often + for or of
[count] : something about which a person feels great interest or enthusiasm
[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

labor of love

see 1labor

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
2 love
/ˈlʌv/
verb
loves; loved; loving
Britannica Dictionary definition of LOVE
: to feel great affection for (someone) : to feel love for (someone)
[+ object]
[no object]
[+ object] : to feel sexual or romantic love for (someone)
[+ object]
: to like or desire (something) very much : to take great pleasure in (something)
often followed by to + verb
often + -ing verb
informal : to be very amused by (something)
[+ 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.