Definition of love

Short definition: The word love means a deep feeling of care and affection for someone or something that truly matters to you. People also use it to describe enjoyment, passion, and the strong emotional bond that makes life feel more meaningful.

Looking for a clear and natural explanation of the word love? The word love is one of the most powerful and emotional words in any language. People use it to talk about deep feelings, close relationships, and strong connections that shape their lives. In everyday life, love can describe romance, family bonds, friendship, passion for hobbies, and even simple joy in small things. It is a word that carries warmth, meaning, and human experience. Below, each meaning is explained in a relaxed and natural way, with explanations that feel real instead of stiff like a textbook.

Noun forms: love, loves
Verb forms: love, loves, loving, loved
Related: lovely adj., lover n., loving adj.
Syllable: love

1. A deep feeling of care and affection for someone.

   In its most common meaning, love is the strong emotional bond people feel toward someone important in their lives. It can be romantic love between partners, or the deep connection between parents and children. This kind of love makes people feel safe, valued, and understood, even during difficult times.

   She felt a deep love for her family, knowing they would always support her no matter what.
   Their love grew stronger over the years, even as life became more challenging.
   He showed his love not just with words, but by being there when she needed him most.

   Synonyms: affection, deep care, devotion, attachment, fondness, warmth, closeness, tenderness, emotional bond, strong feeling, heartfelt care, true affection
   Antonyms: hatred, dislike, indifference, coldness, hostility, anger, distance, bitterness, resentment, rejection, emotional coldness, apathy

2. A strong liking or enjoyment of something.

   Love is also used for things that make people happy. It can describe how much you enjoy a hobby, a place, a type of food, or even a simple daily habit. In this sense, love is about joy and passion, not romance.

   She has a real love for music, and listens to her favorite songs every day.
   He discovered his love for cooking when he started experimenting in the kitchen.
   Their love of travel led them to explore new countries every year.

   Synonyms: passion, enjoyment, strong liking, enthusiasm, interest, fondness, delight, pleasure, appreciation, excitement, joy, admiration
   Antonyms: dislike, boredom, indifference, hatred, lack of interest, annoyance, frustration, apathy, disinterest, tiredness, dull feeling, displeasure

3. To care deeply about someone or something.

   As a verb, love means to feel strong care or affection. People say they love someone when that person is important to them emotionally. They also say they love things that bring happiness, comfort, or meaning to their lives.

   I love my grandparents, and I try to visit them whenever I can.
   She loves her job, because it allows her to help other people.
   He loved the city from the moment he arrived, feeling at home right away.

   Synonyms: care for, adore, cherish, treasure, value deeply, be fond of, hold dear, admire greatly, feel attached to, appreciate, enjoy greatly, be devoted to
   Antonyms: hate, dislike, ignore, reject, avoid, feel distant from, feel cold toward, despise, resent, feel negative about, push away, feel uninterested in

4. A feeling of kindness and concern for others.

   Sometimes love is not about romance or hobbies, but about caring for people in general. It can describe kindness, empathy, and the wish to help others live better lives. This kind of love often shows itself through actions, not just words.

   Her work with the community comes from a deep love for helping people in need.
   He treats everyone with respect, guided by his love for humanity.
   Their volunteer work is driven by love, not by the need for recognition.

   Synonyms: compassion, kindness, care for others, goodwill, empathy, generosity, warmth, humanity, concern, understanding, sympathy, benevolence
   Antonyms: cruelty, selfishness, indifference, coldness, lack of care, harshness, unkindness, hostility, apathy, meanness, disregard, insensitivity

5. A word that represents happiness and emotional connection.

   Beyond its definitions, love represents what many people see as the heart of life. It is the feeling that connects families, builds friendships, and gives meaning to relationships. For many, love is not just an emotion, but a reason to grow and become better.

   For her, love means feeling understood, even without saying a single word.
   He believes love is what keeps people going during the hardest times.
   They say love makes life richer, no matter where you come from.

   Synonyms: emotional connection, deep feeling, life force, inner warmth, human bond, heartfelt emotion, strong attachment, caring spirit, emotional strength, warm connection, deep bond, true feeling
   Antonyms: emptiness, loneliness, emotional distance, coldness, isolation, lack of feeling, disconnection, inner cold, emotional emptiness, separation, detachment, alienation