labor of love
A task performed voluntarily without expectation of reimbursement; an altruistic work or undertaking.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“Restoring this old car is a labor of love for my father.”
“Building this wooden playhouse for my kids is a labor of love.”
“Cooking a five-course meal for your friends is a true labor of love.”
“She spent months writing her novel without a publisher, viewing the entire project as a labor of love.”
“He spends every weekend tending to the community garden because he considers the hard work a labor of love for his neighbors.”
“The retired teacher spends hours every week organizing the free library in town as a labor of love for local readers.”
“The architect dedicated years to the restoration of the historic chapel, treating the meticulous project as a true labor of love.”
The phrase entered the language as a calque of the Koine Greek expression κόπου τῆς ἀγάπης. The construction originates in several epistles within the Christian New Testament, where it functioned as a literal rendering of the Greek phrase into English.
- 01
first love
The thing, place, or activity of which one is fondest; one's most fundamental interest or attachment.
- 02
for the love of the game
Doing something for one's own enjoyment or other intrinsic desire to do so; not for other reasons such as money or other ulterior motives.
- 03
labour the point
To continue to discuss or explain something excessively or repetitively to the point that it may bore or annoy the listener.
- 04
love at first sight
an instantaneous attraction
- 05
love away
To resolve conflicts and emotional pain through love and intimacy.
- 06
love buzz
The feeling of love, butterflies in your stomach.
- 07
love goggles
Blindness to criticism or objectivity directed at a person with whom one is in love.
- 08
love muscle
the heart
Last updated August 10, 2026