Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *lewbʰ-
Proto-Indo-European *-h₂
Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂
Proto-Indo-European *lewbʰéh₂
Proto-Germanic *lubō
Proto-West Germanic *lubu
Old English lufu
Middle English love
English love
From Middle English love, luve, from Old English lufu, from Proto-West Germanic *lubu, from Proto-Germanic *lubō, from Proto-Indo-European *lewbʰ- (“love, care, desire”).
The close of a letter sense is presumably a truncation of With love or the like.
Eclipsed non-native English amour (“love”), borrowed from Norman amour (“love”).
Cognates
Cognate with Scots luve (“love”), Saterland Frisian ljo, ljoo, ljoof (“dear, sweet”), Ljoote, Ljoowe (“love”), West Frisian leaf (“friendly, kind, cordial”), leafde (“love”), Dutch lief (“lovely, nice, sweet”), liefde (“love”), German lieb (“dear; lovable”), Liebe (“love”), German Low German Leevde, Lieve (“love”), Luxembourgish léif (“lovely, kind, nice, sweet”), Léift (“love”), Vilamovian łiwa (“love”), Yiddish ליב (lib, “nice; kind”), Icelandic ljúfur (“beloved, dear”), Norwegian Nynorsk, Swedish ljuv (“lovely, sweet”), Gothic 𐌻𐌹𐌿𐍆𐍃 (liufs, “beloved, dear”), Albanian lyp (“to beg”), Russian любовь (ljubovʹ, “love”), Lithuanian liaupsė (“praise”), Latin libido (“desire, lust”), Polish lubić (“to like”), Persian آلفتن (âloftan, “to enamor”), Sanskrit लोभ (lobha, “desire, greed”).
Meanings
(uncountable) A deep caring for the existence of another.
(countable, uncountable) Strong affection. ▸ A profound and caring affection towards someone.
He on his side / Leaning half-raised, with looks of cordial love / Hung over her enamoured. 1674, John Milton, Paradise Lost:
My husband’s love is the most important thing in my life.
My love for Melca is eternal.
A mother’s love is not easily shaken.
(countable, uncountable) Strong affection. ▸ Affectionate, benevolent concern or care for other people or beings, and for their well-being.
Through nonviolent resistance we shall be able to oppose the unjust system and at the same time love the perpetrators of the system. We must work passionately and unrelentingly for full stature as citizens, but may it never be said, my friends, that to gain it we used the inferior methods of falsehood, malice, hate, and violence. 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr., “A Tough Mind and a Tender Heart”, in Strength to Love, New York: Pocket Books, published 1964, →OCLC, page 7:
The love of your neighbor as yourself, is expressly given as the definition and test of Charity,—not alms-giving—and this love is … the highest of all the Divine commands[.] 1864, Utilitarianism Explained and Exemplified in Moral and Political Government
(countable, uncountable) Strong affection. ▸ A feeling of intense attraction towards someone.
I have never been in love as much as I have with you.
The humor of my proposition appealed more strongly to Miss Trevor than I had looked for, and from that time forward she became her old self again; for, even after she had conquered her love for the Celebrity, the mortification of having been jilted by him remained. 1897 December (indicated as 1898), Winston Churchill, chapter VIII, in The Celebrity: An Episode, New York, N.Y.: The Macmillan Company; London: Macmillan & Co., Ltd., →OCLC:
Heav'n has no Rage, like Love to Hatred turn'd, / Nor Hell a Fury, like a Woman ſcorn'd. 1697, [William] Congreve, The Mourning Bride, a Tragedy. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC, Act III, page 39:
(countable, uncountable) Strong affection. ▸ A deep or abiding liking for something; an enthusiasm for something.
My love of cricket knows no bounds.
For three decades, the average number of miles driven by US motorists increased steadily. Then, in 2007, that steady climb was suddenly halted. [...] What magic caused Americans to temper their longstanding love of the open road? 2012, Philip Auerswald, The Coming Prosperity, →ISBN:
(countable) A person who is the object of romantic feelings; a darling, a sweetheart, a beloved.
I met my love by the gasworks wall. 1969, The Dubliners, Dirty Old Town:
'Oh, my love, my love!' she murmured, 'wilt thou ever know how I have loved thee?' and she kissed him on the forehead, and then went and stood in the pathway of the flame of Life. 1886 October – 1887 January, H[enry] Rider Haggard, She: A History of Adventure, London: Longmans, Green, and Co., published 1887, →OCLC:
O love, dispatch all business, and be gone! c. 1596–1598 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene ii]:
Open the temple gates unto my love. 1595, Edmund Spenser, Epithalamion:
(Commonwealth, colloquial, countable, uncountable) A term of friendly address, regardless of feelings.
Hello love, how can I help you?
(countable, uncountable) A thing, activity, etc. which is the object of one's deep liking or enthusiasm.
But it wasn't until [Theresa M. Claiborne] went to ROTC training camp at the University of California at Berkeley that she discovered that flying was her first love. "Pilots talk about getting bit by the flying bug," she says. "I thought, This is heaven." 1997 March, “Faces of Today's Black Woman”, in Ebony, volume 52, number 5, page 96:
(countable, euphemistic, uncountable) Sexual desire; attachment based on sexual attraction.
The prospect that their cherished Greeks would have countenanced, much less honored, a love between men that expressed itself carnally, however, was not so easily assimilated. 2013, Ronald Long, Men, Homosexuality, and the Gods, Routledge, →ISBN, page 3:
(countable, euphemistic, uncountable) Sexual activity.
—What think you, my lord, of... love?
—You mean ‘rumpy-pumpy’. 1986, Ben Elton et al., “Bells”, in Blackadder II:
(countable, uncountable) An instance or episode of being in love; a love affair.
Maybe it was just a summer love, something with no future. 2014, E. L. Todd, Then Came Absolution, →ISBN:
(countable, uncountable) Used as the closing, before the signature, of a letter, especially between good friends or family members, or by the young.
(alt-of, countable, uncountable) Alternative letter-case form of Love (“personification of love”).
At busy hearts in vain love's arrows fly; … c. 1810, Samuel Johnson (in The Works of Samuel Johnson)
(countable, obsolete, uncountable) A thin silk material.
Such a kind of transparency, as that of a Sive, a piece of Cyprus, or a Love-Hood. 1664, Robert Boyle, Experiments and Considerations Touching Colours, […] :
(countable, uncountable) A climbing plant, Clematis vitalba.
(countable, obsolete, qualifier:Tyndale Bible; also puristic; Tyndale Bible; also puristic, uncountable) Charity.
Etymology tree
Old English lufian
Middle English loven
English love
The verb sense is from Middle English loven, luvien, from Old English lufian (“to love”), from Proto-West Germanic *lubōn (“to love”), derived from the noun.
Meanings
(intransitive, sometimes, stative, transitive, usually) To have a strong affection for (someone or something).
Just give me a reason, / just a little bit's enough, / just a second we're not broken, just bent / and we can learn to love again. 2013 February 26, Pink, Nate Ruess, Just Give Me a Reason:
I love my spouse. I love you! I love that song!
wanted to take her in my arms and tell her how I loved her, and had taken her hand from the rail and started to draw her toward me when Olson came blundering up on deck with his bedding. 1918 September–November, Edgar Rice Burroughs, “The Land That Time Forgot”, in The Blue Book Magazine, Chicago, Ill.: Story-press Corp., →OCLC; republished as chapter VI, in Hugo Gernsback, editor, Amazing Stories, (please specify |part=I to III), New York, N.Y.: Experimenter Publishing, 1927, →OCLC:
(transitive) To need, thrive on.
Mold loves moist, dark places.
(transitive) To be strongly inclined towards something; an emphatic form of like.
"I love not that underlings should perceive my wisdom." 1886 October – 1887 January, H[enry] Rider Haggard, She: A History of Adventure, London: Longmans, Green, and Co., published 1887, →OCLC:
I love walking barefoot on wet grass; I'd love to join the team; I love what you've done with your hair
“Everywhere he went, I went with him. When I was twenty-three, I had been nearly all over the world. It was a splendid life—I loved it.” 1920, Agatha Christie, The Mysterious Affair at Styles, London: Pan Books, published 1954, page 141:
(intransitive, sometimes, transitive, usually) To seek the good or honor of (someone), care deeply about, to be dedicated to (someone or something).
For God so loued þe world, that he gaue his only begotten Sonne: that whosoeuer beleeueth in him, should not perish, but haue euerlasting life. 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, John 3:16:
Iesus sayd vnto him, Thou shalt loue the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soule, and with all thy minde. This is the first and great Commandement. And the second is like vnto it, Thou shalt loue thy neighbour as thy selfe. 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Matthew 22:37–39:
(ironic, sometimes, transitive) To derive delight from a fact or situation.
I love the fact that the coffee shop now offers fat-free chai latte.
(Internet) Synonym of heart (verb).
She loved my photos of the kids playing with the dogs.
(euphemistic, transitive) To have sex with (perhaps from make love).
love marriage (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · loveaholic (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · childlove (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · loveless (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love rose (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love bug (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love slave (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · lovesick (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love you (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · lovemaker (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · for the love of shit (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · falling in love (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · cyberlove (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · tough love (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love glove (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · boys' love (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love nest (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love orgy (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · boy's love (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love dart (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · loveteam (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love apple (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · for the love of all that is good (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · lovie (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · the course of true love never did run smooth (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love cycle (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love tool (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love curl (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · tunnel of love (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · lovebird (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · physical love (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · arrow of love (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · lovee (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love-joust (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love rat (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · lovesome (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love hotel (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love drug (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love-struck (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love heart (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love of one's life (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · do you love me (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love recipe (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · what's not to love (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · puppy love (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love-match (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · light-o'-love (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love-bead (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · for the love of God (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · tough-love (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love ya (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · for the love of fuck (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love rectangle (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · sisterly love (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love jihad (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love grass (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · loving kindness (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love bead (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love stick (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love-aholic (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · lovedom (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love-shy (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love draught (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · lovebot (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love point (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love-milk (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love bombing (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love bite (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love seat (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love knot (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · self-loving (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · for the love of me (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · play for love (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love-hatred (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · money-love (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · motherlove (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love in a mist (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love-lies-bleeding (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · progressive love (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · lovey-dovey (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · lovelight (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love up (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · no glove no love (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · I love you (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love conquers all (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love nut (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love jug (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love wand (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · loveship (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love juice (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love is love (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love powder (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · lovepat (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · loveday (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · lovebead (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love pump (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · lovemonger (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · lack-love (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · for the love of Goddess (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love sausage (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love on (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love vine (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · nonlove (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love-handled (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · lovebud (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love charm (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · one love (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love jones (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love lock (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love philtre (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love box (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love-shyness (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love life (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love away (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · Socratic love (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · calf love (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · belove (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · girllove (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · true-love-knot (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love pill (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · face that only a mother could love (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · instalove (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · unlove (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · Greek love (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love tonic (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love offering (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love lips (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · free love (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love egg (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love child (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · labor of love (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love in a puff (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · courtly love (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love hold (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · for the love of (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love mound (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · unrequited love (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · overlove (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · make love to the camera (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · for love or money (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · boylove (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love tunnel (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love goggles (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · lovability (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love polygon (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love potion (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love doll (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love tap (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love match (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · light o' love (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love padlock (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · true-love knot (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love feast (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love lotion (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love dove (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · I have to love you and leave you (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love scene (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · lovertine (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · lovelorn (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · for the love of all that is holy (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love bomb (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love handle (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · lots of love (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · Lord love a duck (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love boat (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · relove (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love-hate (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love swing (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love-in-a-mist (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love muscle (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · Lord love you (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · lovestone (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love manual (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love letter (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · girls' love (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · lovebite (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · castle of love (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love bird (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · labour of love (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love darg (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love-lock (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · cat's love (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · the love of money is the root of all evil (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · for love nor money (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · platonic love (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · face only a mother could love (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · apple of love (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · ladylove (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · for the love of Betsy (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love-bite (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · lovemap (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · soul-love (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love-worthiness (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · antilove (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love truncheon (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love canal (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · God love someone (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · tree of love (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love triangle (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love pillow (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · only a mother could love (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · forelove (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love game (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · zouk love (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · loveseat (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · law of love (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · mislove (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · no love lost (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love team (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love-child (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love scam (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · tug of love (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love story (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · leaflove (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · declaration of love (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · lovetap (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love spuds (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · lovekin (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love button (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · lad's love (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · obsessive love disorder (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love song (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · all-loving (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love-making (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · lovekins (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · lovebug (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · first love (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love pocket (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love-feat (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · lovish (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love toy (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love spoon (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · lovechild (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · fall out of love (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love-in-idleness (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love is blind (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · lady love (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love a duck (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love-hair (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · loveling (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · loveness (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love-light (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · loved-up (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · lovefest (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · all is fair in love and war (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · for the love of Christ (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love quadrangle (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love script (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · for the love of Mike (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love language (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · lovemate (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · hate the sin but love the sinner (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love spud (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · in love (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · I'm in love with you (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love bomber (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · all's fair in love and war (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · make love (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love machine (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · brotherly love (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love hole (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love-in (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · loveworthy (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love-tap (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love-in-winter (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · for the love of Moses (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · lovebunny (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · parental love (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · lover (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love buzz (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · outlove (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love-bomb (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · lovelike (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · loyal love (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · lovemobile (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love play (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love the sinner but hate the sin (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love custard (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · truelove (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · in love with (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love cannot be forced (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · cupboard love (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · lovelock (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · loveful (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love-bombing (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · fall in love (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · for the love of the game (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · Persian love (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love chair (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · Queen of Love (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love it or lump it (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · true love (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love interest (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love at first sight (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · lovemark (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · lovelore (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love making (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · everything is fair in love and war (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · self-love (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · lovely (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love affair (Terms derived from the noun or verb love) · love token (Terms derived from the noun or verb love)
qu munai (have a strong affection for) · vi yêu (have a strong affection for) · or ଭଲ ପାଇବା (have a strong affection for) · lv mīlēties ((euphemistic): to have sex with — see also make love) · es amar (care about; will good for) · bn ভালবাসা (have a strong affection for) · mn хайрлах (have a strong affection for) · ay munaña (have a strong affection for) · it adorare (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · af liefhê (have a strong affection for) · cs milovat (have a strong affection for) · fi mennä sänkyyn jnk kanssa ((euphemistic): to have sex with — see also make love) · hi प्यार करना (have a strong affection for) · dsb lubowaś (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · ja 愛好する (have a strong affection for) · tl nais (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · frr lefhaa (have a strong affection for) · sv tycka om (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · cu ⰾⱓⰱⰻⱅⰻ (have a strong affection for) · it amare (have a strong affection for) · ru люби́ть (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · nl de liefde bedrijven ((euphemistic): to have sex with — see also make love) · tl ibig (have a strong affection for) · sk milovať (have a strong affection for) · cdo 愛 /爱 (have a strong affection for) · izh suvata (have a strong affection for) · ru люби́ть (care about; will good for) · km ចូលចិត្ត (care about; will good for) · kk сүю (have a strong affection for) · eu maitatu (have a strong affection for) · enm loven (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · jra amuăih (have a strong affection for) · ko 좋아하다 (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · pl kochać się ((euphemistic): to have sex with — see also make love) · pt fazer amor ((euphemistic): to have sex with — see also make love) · mi aroha (have a strong affection for) · ceb gusto (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · mxi امار (have a strong affection for) · fi rakastaa (have a strong affection for) · hak 愛 /爱 (have a strong affection for) · he אָהַב (have a strong affection for) · lez кӏан хьун (have a strong affection for) · enm loven (have a strong affection for) · uk займа́тися любо́в'ю ((euphemistic): to have sex with — see also make love) · ro face dragoste ((euphemistic): to have sex with — see also make love) · mt ħabb (have a strong affection for) · pox ľaibĕt (have a strong affection for) · pl uwielbiać (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · hu szeret (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · fy jouwe om (care about; will good for) · fy beminne (have a strong affection for) · lv mīlēt (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · yo nífẹ̀ẹ́ (have a strong affection for) · wo mbëggéel (have a strong affection for) · fa دوست داشتن (have a strong affection for) · pt amar (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · fa عشق داشتن (have a strong affection for) · ta விரும்பு (to need, thrive on) · kmr evistin (have a strong affection for) · gv graih (have a strong affection for) · fi rakastaa (care about; will good for) · my ချစ်ခင် (have a strong affection for) · fy leaf hawwe (have a strong affection for) · bua дурлаха (have a strong affection for) · kum сюймек (have a strong affection for) · cs mít rád (have a strong affection for) · lt mylėtis ((euphemistic): to have sex with — see also make love) · fy leavje (have a strong affection for) · da behøve (to need, thrive on) · gd leannanachd ((euphemistic): to have sex with — see also make love) · sh ljúbiti (have a strong affection for) · pam kapagnasan (to lust for) · pl miłować (have a strong affection for) · da kunne lide (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · sk mať rád (have a strong affection for) · sh во̀лети (have a strong affection for) · bg жела́я (care about; will good for) · ro iubi (have a strong affection for) · udm яратыны (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · sq do (have a strong affection for) · am መውደድ (have a strong affection for) · tk söýmek (have a strong affection for) · sh љу́бити (have a strong affection for) · ain カタイロッケ (have a strong affection for) · de lieben (have a strong affection for) · mn дурлах (have a strong affection for) · be займа́цца каха́ннем ((euphemistic): to have sex with — see also make love) · ca fer l'amor ((euphemistic): to have sex with — see also make love) · fy leaf hawwe (care about; will good for) · fr aimer beaucoup (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · tet hadomi (have a strong affection for) · csb kòchac (have a strong affection for) · zh 情愛 /情爱 (have a strong affection for) · ta அன்பு செலுத்து (have a strong affection for) · ro venera (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · nah tlahzoa (have a strong affection for) · xal дурлх (have a strong affection for) · rup agãpisescu (have a strong affection for) · lt mylėti (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · ppl -tasujta (have a strong affection for) · sk milovať (care about; will good for) · gug hayhu (have a strong affection for) · km ជាប់ចិត្ត (care about; will good for) · da lyste (to lust for) · luo hero (have a strong affection for) · syl ꠜꠣꠟꠣ ꠙꠣꠃꠣ (have a strong affection for) · ja 愛でる (have a strong affection for) · nl houden van (care about; will good for) · ka სიყვარული (have a strong affection for) · ky сүйүү (have a strong affection for) · nrf aimer (have a strong affection for) · grc ἀγαπάω (have a strong affection for) · ca estimar (have a strong affection for) · he רצה (to lust for) · ja 大好きである (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · uk коха́ти (have a strong affection for) · ta காதல் செய் ((euphemistic): to have sex with — see also make love) · enm loven ((euphemistic): to have sex with — see also make love) · fi rakastella jnk kanssa ((euphemistic): to have sex with — see also make love) · he אָהַב (to need, thrive on) · ca agradar (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · nb elske (have a strong affection for) · frr leew haa (have a strong affection for) · zh нэ (have a strong affection for) · he אהב (care about; will good for) · nl gek zijn op (to lust for) · mhj täla (have a strong affection for) · de gern haben (have a strong affection for) · tl mahal (have a strong affection for) · fr aimer (have a strong affection for) · pt amar (care about; will good for) · pl kochać (care about; will good for) · zh 愛 /爱 (have a strong affection for) · pam mal (care about; will good for) · crh sevmek (northern dialect süymek) (have a strong affection for) · syl ꠝꠣꠄꠣ ꠇꠞꠣ (have a strong affection for) · sux 𒆠𒉘 (have a strong affection for) · zh 愛好 /爱好 (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · egy U7:r-A2 (have a strong affection for) · mk милува (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · de lechzen (to lust for) · it volere bene (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · sw kupenda (have a strong affection for) · da elske ((euphemistic): to have sex with — see also make love) · ru занима́ться любо́вью ((euphemistic): to have sex with — see also make love) · shn ႁၵ်ႉ (have a strong affection for) · sv älska med ((euphemistic): to have sex with — see also make love) · uz sevmoq (have a strong affection for) · de begehren (to lust for) · eo ŝati (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · nl liefhebben (have a strong affection for) · sv älska (care about; will good for) · mk сака (have a strong affection for) · de gieren (to lust for) · abe kazalmômuk (have a strong affection for) · id bercinta ((euphemistic): to have sex with — see also make love) · pt adorar (have a strong affection for) · it volere bene (have a strong affection for) · te ప్రేమించు (have a strong affection for) · an amar (have a strong affection for) · ja 好む (have a strong affection for) · sk milovať sa ((euphemistic): to have sex with — see also make love) · grc ἐράω (have a strong affection for) · dlg багар (have a strong affection for) · hsb lubować (have a strong affection for) · vi yêu (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · rup arisescu (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · th รัก (have a strong affection for) · fi nauttia (to need, thrive on) · pms amé (have a strong affection for) · vi yêu ((euphemistic): to have sex with — see also make love) · io amar (have a strong affection for) · fa عاشق بودن (have a strong affection for) · oc aimar (have a strong affection for) · ro face amor ((euphemistic): to have sex with — see also make love) · eu maite izan (have a strong affection for) · ia amar (have a strong affection for) · zza hez kerden (to lust for) · de lieben (care about; will good for) · ceb pakipaghilawas ((euphemistic): to have sex with — see also make love) · hi बहुत चाहना (to need, thrive on) · ang lufian (care about; will good for) · de mit ... schlafen ((euphemistic): to have sex with — see also make love) · hy սիրել (have a strong affection for) · hi प्रेम करना (have a strong affection for) · qu waillui (have a strong affection for) · dsb lubowaś (have a strong affection for) · el λατρεύω (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · gag sevmää (have a strong affection for) · kix jūjīe (care about; will good for) · lb gär hunn (have a strong affection for) · sv älska (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · lld amà (have a strong affection for) · ko 사랑하다 (have a strong affection for) · gl amar (have a strong affection for) · lt mylėti (have a strong affection for) · sh во̀љети (have a strong affection for) · de lieben ((euphemistic): to have sex with — see also make love) · km ស្រឡាញ់ (have a strong affection for) · fi himota (to lust for) · kyh íimnih (have a strong affection for) · kix jūjīe (have a strong affection for) · de schleckern (to lust for) · mh io̧kwe (have a strong affection for) · ja 気に入る (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · nl liefhebben (care about; will good for) · gd gràdh (have a strong affection for) · pam kaburian (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · jje 궤다 (have a strong affection for) · es encantarle (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · am ማፍቀር (have a strong affection for) · aqc кьан (have a strong affection for) · es amar (have a strong affection for) · de lieben (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · cs milovat se ((euphemistic): to have sex with — see also make love) · ru люби́ть (have a strong affection for) · srn lobi (have a strong affection for) · de ehren (care about; will good for) · as ভাল পোৱা (have a strong affection for) · et armastama (have a strong affection for) · lmo amà (have a strong affection for) · nah tlajsoa (have a strong affection for) · fi pitää paljon (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · ru спать ((euphemistic): to have sex with — see also make love) · mk сака (to need, thrive on) · lo ຮັກ (have a strong affection for) · hak 愛 /爱 (have a strong affection for) · bxd ŋø⁵⁵ (have a strong affection for) · ast facer l'amor ((euphemistic): to have sex with — see also make love) · es bienquerer (have a strong affection for) · nv ayóóʼáyóʼní (have a strong affection for) · hu szerelmeskedik ((euphemistic): to have sex with — see also make love) · mnc ᡥᠠᡳᡵᠠᠮᠪᡳ (have a strong affection for) · ru люби́ть (to need, thrive on) · si ආදරය කරනවා (have a strong affection for) · dv ލޯބި (have a strong affection for) · zza waşten (to lust for) · ta காதலி (have a strong affection for) · mk љуби (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · izh armastaa (have a strong affection for) · da elske (have a strong affection for) · et armastama (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · bni linga (have a strong affection for) · ga gráigh (have a strong affection for) · esu kenkeluni (have a strong affection for) · cv сав (have a strong affection for) · br karout (have a strong affection for) · de schmachten (to lust for) · zh 愛好 /爱好 (have a strong affection for) · sk ľúbiť (have a strong affection for) · vo löfön (have a strong affection for) · sh voditi ljubav ((euphemistic): to have sex with — see also make love) · bxd tʃɔ̠t⁵⁵ tɛʔ³¹ (have a strong affection for) · da elske (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · sh vòljeti (have a strong affection for) · ro adora (have a strong affection for) · ta நேசி (care about; will good for) · yue 愛 /爱 (have a strong affection for) · zza pêwaşten ((euphemistic): to have sex with — see also make love) · lij amà (have a strong affection for) · it amare (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · fr coucher avec ((euphemistic): to have sex with — see also make love) · ceb higugma (have a strong affection for) · fr baiser ((euphemistic): to have sex with — see also make love) · mnc ᠪᡠᠶᡝᠮᠪᡳ (have a strong affection for) · tpw aûsub (have a strong affection for) · sl imeti rad (have a strong affection for) · yo fẹ́ràn (have a strong affection for) · nb like (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · el ποθώ (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · qu waylluy (have a strong affection for) · lv patikt (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · is elska (have a strong affection for) · ur محبت کرنا (have a strong affection for) · eo ami (have a strong affection for) · cdo 愛 /爱 (have a strong affection for) · ur عشق کرنا (have a strong affection for) · zh 愛 /爱 (care about; will good for) · gd gràdh neo-mheasarra ((euphemistic): to have sex with — see also make love) · ppl -tazuhta (have a strong affection for) · ar أَحَبَّ (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · tt яратырга (have a strong affection for) · fy hâlde fan (have a strong affection for) · pga hibu (have a strong affection for) · ceb pagtagad (care about; will good for) · zh 喜歡 /喜欢 (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · nmn ǀnàm (have a strong affection for) · pt adorar (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · wo mbeugeil (have a strong affection for) · se eahccit (have a strong affection for) · lv mīlēt (have a strong affection for) · oj zaagi' (have a strong affection for) · sv älska ((euphemistic): to have sex with — see also make love) · nl graag zien (have a strong affection for) · ta பிடிக்க (to need, thrive on) · ta விரும்பு (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · izh rakastaa (have a strong affection for) · pam ibug (to lust for) · el αγαπώ (have a strong affection for) · uk люби́ти (have a strong affection for) · fy graach meie oer (to need, thrive on) · km ប៉ងប្រាថ្នា (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · ang lufian (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · ckb خۆشویستن (have a strong affection for) · co amà (have a strong affection for) · da elske med ((euphemistic): to have sex with — see also make love) · az sevmək (have a strong affection for) · nb elske (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · ht renmen (have a strong affection for) · nb elske med ((euphemistic): to have sex with — see also make love) · mk љуби (have a strong affection for) · ce деза (have a strong affection for) · hu szeret (have a strong affection for) · pam palsintan (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · mww hlub (have a strong affection for) · nmn tsāha (have a strong affection for) · nmn tào (have a strong affection for) · yo fẹ́ (have a strong affection for) · ta நேசி (have a strong affection for) · mi hiahia (have a strong affection for) · got 𐍆𐍂𐌹𐌾𐍉𐌽 (have a strong affection for) · km ស្នេហ៍ (have a strong affection for) · ar أَحَبَّ (have a strong affection for) · tl makipagmahalan ((euphemistic): to have sex with — see also make love) · alt сӱӱр (have a strong affection for) · ca amar (have a strong affection for) · enm loven (to lust for) · zza sineyen (have a strong affection for) · nl houden van (have a strong affection for) · yue 做愛 /做爱 ((euphemistic): to have sex with — see also make love) · nl beminnen (have a strong affection for) · uk коха́тися ((euphemistic): to have sex with — see also make love) · enm loven (to need, thrive on) · tl nanasa (to lust for) · lus ngaina (care about; will good for) · ro admira (care about; will good for) · ja 愛する (have a strong affection for) · mr प्रेम (have a strong affection for) · frr liibe (have a strong affection for) · zza sineyayen (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · nl smachten naar (to lust for) · be каха́ць (have a strong affection for) · nl gek zijn op (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · be любі́ць (have a strong affection for) · rup alughescu (have a strong affection for) · tab ккун хьуб (have a strong affection for) · bg пра́вя любо́в ((euphemistic): to have sex with — see also make love) · cy caru â ((euphemistic): to have sex with — see also make love) · ofs minnia (have a strong affection for) · my အချစ် (have a strong affection for) · fr vouloir beaucoup (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · el κάνω έρωτα ((euphemistic): to have sex with — see also make love) · inh веза (have a strong affection for) · ba яратыу (have a strong affection for) · cop ⲙⲉ (have a strong affection for) · clt due (have a strong affection for) · lus hmangaih (have a strong affection for) · tt сөяргә (have a strong affection for) · chr ᏥᎨᏳᎢ (have a strong affection for) · bg оби́чам (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · la amo (have a strong affection for) · he אהב (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · zh 做愛 /做爱 ((euphemistic): to have sex with — see also make love) · oj zaagitoon (have a strong affection for) · zh 愛慕 /爱慕 (care about; will good for) · es querer (have a strong affection for) · sh vòleti (have a strong affection for) · dsb lubowaś (care about; will good for) · lt žavėtis (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · sah таптаа (have a strong affection for) · sh водити љубав ((euphemistic): to have sex with — see also make love) · bg оби́чам (have a strong affection for) · mi tāmau (have a strong affection for) · enm loven (care about; will good for) · fa مهر ورزیدن (have a strong affection for) · id cinta (have a strong affection for) · lad amar (have a strong affection for) · nb elske (care about; will good for) · ro ține la (care about; will good for) · as মৰম কৰা (have a strong affection for) · tl gusto (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · tg дӯст доштан (have a strong affection for) · eo amori ((euphemistic): to have sex with — see also make love) · es amar ((euphemistic): to have sex with — see also make love) · mk води љубов ((euphemistic): to have sex with — see also make love) · pam kaburi (to need, thrive on) · rm avair gugent (have a strong affection for) · ko 애정을 품다 (have a strong affection for) · pl kochać (have a strong affection for) · or ପ୍ରେମ କରିବା (have a strong affection for) · fo elska (have a strong affection for) · zh 熱愛 /热爱 (have a strong affection for) · nod ᩁᩢ᩠ᨠ (have a strong affection for) · el θέλω (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · ar حب (have a strong affection for) · ro dori (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · zh 疼愛 /疼爱 (care about; will good for) · pam lugud (have a strong affection for) · de Liebe machen ((euphemistic): to have sex with — see also make love) · grc στέργω (have a strong affection for) · ang lufian (have a strong affection for) · da holde af (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · cv юрат (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · vi yêu (care about; will good for) · ada suɔ (care about; will good for) · cy caru (have a strong affection for) · ota سومك (have a strong affection for) · ml ഇഷ്ടപ്പെടുക (have a strong affection for) · tr sevmek (have a strong affection for) · rm charezzar (have a strong affection for) · tg ишқ варзидан (have a strong affection for) · cu любити (have a strong affection for) · sl ljubiti se ((euphemistic): to have sex with — see also make love) · ur پیار کرنا (have a strong affection for) · nap amà (have a strong affection for) · de lieb haben (have a strong affection for) · ro adora (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · yue 愛情 /爱情 (have a strong affection for) · mh io̧kwe (care about; will good for) · fi rakastaa (to need, thrive on) · fi pitää kovasti (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · sv behöva (to need, thrive on) · ln linga (have a strong affection for) · fur amâ (have a strong affection for) · la diligo (care about; will good for) · zh 愛 /爱 (have a strong affection for) · tr sevmek (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · ase ILY@Side-PalmForward (have a strong affection for) · ro culca ((euphemistic): to have sex with — see also make love) · tr arzulamak (to lust for) · pro amar (have a strong affection for) · da elske (care about; will good for) · af liefhê (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · gu પ્રેમ કરવો (have a strong affection for) · pt amar ((euphemistic): to have sex with — see also make love) · nl houden van (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · el εκτιμώ (care about; will good for) · ada suɔ (have a strong affection for) · rom kamel (have a strong affection for) · fr aimer bien (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · zh 愛情 /爱情 (have a strong affection for) · cy dwli ar (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · ja 恋する (have a strong affection for) · tr sevişmek ((euphemistic): to have sex with — see also make love) · it fare l'amore ((euphemistic): to have sex with — see also make love) · ro păsa de (care about; will good for) · sv älska (have a strong affection for) · dlm amur (have a strong affection for) · sl ljubiti (have a strong affection for) · ast querer (have a strong affection for) · grc φιλέω (have a strong affection for) · kmr evandin (have a strong affection for) · fy hâlde fan (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · tl mahilig (to need, thrive on) · zh 愛戴 /爱戴 (have a strong affection for) · fi rakastaa (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · mwl amar (have a strong affection for) · nl gedijen (to need, thrive on) · el αγαπώ (care about; will good for) · mnc ᠴᡳᡥᠠᠯᠠᠮᠪᡳ (have a strong affection for) · kmr hebandin (have a strong affection for) · ms cinta (have a strong affection for) · om jaalachuu (have a strong affection for) · fy graach meie (be strongly inclined towards doing — see also like, adore, into) · yi ליב האָבן (have a strong affection for) · trk-oat سومك (have a strong affection for) · wuu 愛 /爱 (have a strong affection for) · fr faire l'amour ((euphemistic): to have sex with — see also make love) · fy hâlde fan (care about; will good for) · nl vrijen ((euphemistic): to have sex with — see also make love)
Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *h₂ew-der.?
Proto-Indo-European *h₂éwis
Proto-Indo-European *h₂ōwyóm
Proto-Italic *ōw(j)om
Classical Latin ōvum
Vulgar Latin *ŏvum
Old French oef
Middle French œuf
French l’œuf?
English love
Now widely believed (due to historical written record) to be from the idea that when one does a thing “for love” it is for no monetary gain, the word “love” thus implying “nothing”. Use of “love” for having no score extends to the 18th century in tennis as well as certain card games.
The former assumption that it had originated from French l’œuf (literally “the egg”), due to its shape, has largely been discredited and is no longer widely accepted. However, the apparent similarity of the shape of an egg to a zero has inspired similar analogies, such as the use of duck (reputed to be short for duck's egg) for a zero score at cricket, and goose egg for "zero".
Meanings
(uncountable) Zero, no score.
The next day Agassi came back from two sets to love down to beat Courier in five sets. 2013, Paul McNamee, Game Changer: My Tennis Life:
So that’s fifteen-love to Kournikova.
(uncountable) Nothing; no recompense.
I fought the white man for less than sixpence. I fought him for love, which is nothing at all. 1916, H. Rider Haggard, The Ivory Child:
Forms
Spelling
Features
Labels
Source
loue
alternative, obsolete
lexicographic
luv
Internet, alternative
lexicographic
Translations (36)
pt zero (zero) · bg ну́ла (zero) · sk nula (zero) · sq zero (zero) · da nul (zero) · vi không (zero) · es cero (zero) · hu semmi (zero) · he אפס (zero) · pl zero (zero) · fi nolla (zero) · nl nul (zero) · ca zero (zero) · gd neoni (zero) · la nulli (zero) · tl wala (zero) · hu null (zero) · es nada (zero) · fy nul (zero) · ja 零点 (zero) · sh nȕla (zero) · pl jajo (zero) · sh ну̏ла (zero) · de null (zero) · kix jūjīe (zero) · mk нула (zero) · it zero (zero) · hi लॉव (zero) · no null (zero) · mi kore (zero) · ca res (zero) · ru ноль (zero) · eo nulo (zero) · ja ラブ (zero) · fr zéro (zero) · sv noll (zero)