Dictionary

well-loved en · ADJ

Etymology

Modelled after well-liked.

Meanings

1. Loved by many people; popular.
   • Helped by the charm of their field and by WGN’s national broadcast reach, the Cubs have always been the better-loved of Chicago’s two teams. 2014 April 24, Tom Giratikanon, Josh Katz, David Leonhardt, Kevin Quealy, “Up Close on Baseball’s Borders”, in The New York Times, New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 24 Apr 2014:
   • Afterward, however, he turned to more serious roles, such as “Emperor Jones” and “Othello,” and ultimately became one of the better-loved figures of the German-speaking stage. 1943 May 2, Theodore Strauss, “Oscar Homolka Studies the Menu: A Noted Austrian Actor Talks of Letters, Art, Light Wines and Duck”, in The New York Times, New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC:
   • Larkin's reputation at his death as the best-loved "serious" English poet of his generation rested almost entirely on three collections published after 1955: The Less Deceived, The Whitsun Weddings and High Windows. 2008 July 22, “Philip Larkin”, in Alan Rusbridger, editor, The Guardian, London: Guardian News & Media, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 28 Dec 2013:
2. (euphemistic) Highly used or having a worn condition; showing significant signs of wear and tear, age, or previous frequent use.

Forms