love
A1Pronunciation
UK
- /lˈʌv/
US
- /ˈləv/
Description
- deep affection
- strong feeling
- care greatly
- intense devotion
- profound connection
Love isn't just about hearts and flowers; it's a powerful feeling of deep affection, warmth, and personal attachment. You can love a person, such as family, friends, or a romantic partner, but you can also feel it for art, music, or even a place. It moves us to care for others, value special experiences, and find joy in close connection.
It isn't always easy; it often asks for openness and commitment. A mother may love her child without limits, a friend may stay loyal in hard times, and an artist may care deeply about their craft. Sometimes it is expressed openly, and sometimes it appears in quiet acts of kindness. Whether it is romantic, familial, or simply a deep care for something important, it is a central part of human life.
Love is one of the most basic and complex human emotions. It is more than a passing feeling; it shapes behavior, values, and relationships. While people often connect it with romance, it appears in many forms: the bond between family members, deep friendship, strong devotion to a partner, generous care for others, and even a lasting appreciation for beauty, learning, or a place.
The word "love" works as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it names the feeling itself: "She felt a surge of love." As a verb, it describes the feeling or action: "I love you." Its strength also varies. People may say they love a food, a song, or a hobby, but the same word can describe much deeper ties to family, partners, or close friends.
For centuries, philosophers, poets, and religious thinkers have tried to explain it. The Ancient Greeks described different kinds of love, including eros for passionate desire, philia for deep friendship, and agape for selfless care. Modern psychology also studies it, especially through attachment theory, which suggests that early childhood experiences can influence how people form close bonds later in life.
It is not always joyful or easy. It can involve pain, sacrifice, risk, and vulnerability. Even so, it often gives people a reason to stay, support one another, and keep going through difficulty. It connects us, inspires kindness, and gives many of our experiences meaning. Whether it appears in grand gestures or in small, quiet moments, love remains one of the strongest forces in human life.
Examples
- 1
Family
She loves her children more than anything.
- 2
Romantic feelings
I think he's in love with his best friend.
Pattern
in love with + person
having romantic feelings for that person
- 3
Relationship beginning
They fell in love while they were at university.
Phrase
fall in love
begin to love someone romantically
- 4
Music
I love this song; it always puts me in a good mood.
- 5
Cooking
Maya loves cooking for her friends.
- 6
Invitation reply
We'd love to come to dinner on Friday.
Pattern
would love to + verb
would really like to do it
- 7
Preferred situation
I love it when the house is quiet in the morning.
- 8
Personal passion
His love for music started when he was a child.
- 9
Warm greeting
Send my love to your parents.
Phrase
send my love
tell someone I am thinking of them warmly
- 10
Careful work
The garden was a labor of love for my grandfather.
Phrase
a labor of love
work done because you care about it, not mainly for money
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- lovenounverb
Forms
- lovedpast tenseverbnoun
- lovespluralnounverb
- loving-ing formverbnoun