beloved

[bih-luhv-id, -luhvd]

adjective

1. greatly loved; dear to the heart.

   Synonyms: darling, sweet, precious

noun

1. a person who is greatly loved.

beloved

/ bɪˈlʌvɪd, -ˈlʌvd /

adjective

1. dearly loved

noun

1. a person who is dearly loved, such as a wife or husband

Other Word Forms

• prebeloved adjective
• superbeloved adjective
• unbeloved adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of beloved¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English biloved “loved,” past participle of biloven “to like, love”; equivalent to be- + love + -ed ²

Example Sentences

At UCLA, when she finally learned about the Californios, she was “outraged” and questioned why her beloved high school history teacher “didn’t teach us this basic thing.”

From Los Angeles Times

While the expected range went from black to charcoal and silver gray and on to his beloved beige, his colors were artfully off the mark.

From Los Angeles Times

Less than a year after the Eaton fire destroyed Altadena, a nearby neighborhood beloved by generations of musicians, the 500-capacity venue is a sign of new life returning to the area’s arts scene.

From Los Angeles Times

Gibson’s new memoir, “Eternally Electric: The Message in My Music,” could only have been this honest in the aftermath of her beloved momager’s death in 2022.

From Los Angeles Times

It is with deep sadness and unimaginable pain that we share the passing of our beloved “Coach,” George Henry Raveling.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• admired www.thesaurus.com
• cherished www.thesaurus.com
• dear 
• esteemed 
• favorite 
• hallowed 
• loved 
• popular 
• prized www.thesaurus.com
• respected www.thesaurus.com
• revered 
• treasured www.thesaurus.com
• venerated www.thesaurus.com
• well-liked