love

A strong feeling of caring deeply about someone, often with romantic attraction.

• Their love grew over time.
• He fell in love with her at university.
• A parent's love can make a child feel safe.

How to use it: love for someone (His love for his children was clear.); in love with someone (She's in love with her oldest friend.)

Similar words: affection, devotion

Opposites: hate, hatred

Common phrases: love for someone, fall in love, true love, deep love

A strong liking for something that gives you pleasure.

• Her love of music started early.
• He passed his love of cooking on to his children.
• Their shared love for the sea brought them together.

How to use it: love of/for something (We share a love of old films.)

Similar words: fondness, passion, liking

Opposites: dislike, hatred

Common phrases: love of music, love for something, love of reading

A person you have strong romantic feelings for.

• He was my first love.
• She married the love of her life.
• His old love returned to the village years later.

Similar words: sweetheart, beloved, darling

Common phrases: my first love, my true love, love of my life, my lost love

A score of zero in tennis.

• The score is thirty love.
• She won the first game to love.
• At love forty, he faced three break points.

Similar words: zero, nil

Common phrases: fifteen love, thirty love, love all, love fifteen

A friendly word used when speaking to someone, even someone you do not know.

• Morning, love!
• Would you like a bag, love?
• Thanks, love, you've been very helpful.

Similar words: dear, darling

Common phrases: hello love, thanks love, sorry love, yes love

To care deeply about someone and want them to be happy.

• I love my family.
• She loved him for many years.
• Do you still love me?

Similar words: adore, cherish

Opposites: hate

Common phrases: love someone deeply, love your family, love each other, love someone dearly

To grow or do well when given particular conditions or things.

• These flowers love the sun.
• Moss loves cool, damp places.
• The plants loved the extra water and grew quickly.

Similar words: thrive on, need

Common phrases: love the sun, love damp conditions, love rich soil, love warm weather