adj

lovely

LUHV-lee

adj

Beautiful or pleasing; delightful.

"What a lovely view of the valley."

"We had a lovely time at the wedding."

noun

British informal: an attractive person.

"The tabloids called her "a real lovely.""

How to Use Lovely

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishVery pleasant, beautiful, or nice.

UK vs US

Extremely common as a general term of approval in British English, often more so than in American English.

Common pairings

a lovely day how lovely lovely to see you

Word Forms

lovelier comparative, more lovely comparative, lovelier comparative, more lovely comparative, lovelies plural, loveliest superlative, most lovely superlative, loveliest superlative, most lovely superlative

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Can you complete this real example?

What a _____ view of the valley.

Etymology

From Old English luflic, "loving, amiable," from love plus the suffix -ly.

Synonyms

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beautiful charming lovable lovesome loving

Related Words

silly beautiful attractive affectionate ugly sexy pleasant boring

Rhymes for lovely

Ely rely Neely comely lonely timely homely widely lively lately rarely barely

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