English Reference

Word

adore

Phoneticsadore

US/əˈdɔɹ/

UK/ɐdˈɔː/

Definitions

01to love deeply

B1 · Intermediate

v. to love someone very much and feel great respect for them.

v. to regard with deep, often selfless affection and respect. Transitive — requires a direct object.

“It is clear that they adore their new baby daughter.”

“Throughout their fifty years of marriage, he continued to adore her with the same intensity as the day they met.”

Synonyms

lovecherishworship

Antonyms

hatedetest

02to like very much

B1 · Intermediate Informal

v. to like something very much, often used for food or hobbies.

v. to have a strong liking or preference for something. Informal in register when applied to inanimate objects or activities.

“I simply adore this chocolate cake; it is the best I have ever tasted.”

“She adores spending her Sunday afternoons browsing through the local antique markets for hidden treasures.”

Synonyms

loveenjoy

Antonyms

dislikeloathe

03to worship

C1 · Advanced Religion Formal

v. to show great respect and love for a god.

v. to worship or honour as a deity. Often used in religious or highly formal contexts.

“The people gathered in the temple to adore their gods.”

“The ancient hymns were composed specifically to adore the creator and express the congregation's humble devotion.”

Synonyms

worshipveneraterevere

Usage

Transitive — always takes a direct object. In modern informal contexts, it is frequently used as a non-stative verb in the continuous form ('I'm adoring this weather'), though traditional grammar treats it as stative.

Word family

VERB

Adore(B1)

ADJECTIVE

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
Frequency
Frequent
Level
B1 · Intermediate
Updated

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