Word
beloved
/bɪˈɫəvd/
Definitions
01dearly loved
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. very much loved and appreciated.
adj. dearly loved; held in deep affection. Often used before a noun to indicate a strong emotional bond.
“The old man read the letter from his beloved granddaughter every single day.”
“The professor retired after forty years, leaving behind a beloved collection of rare manuscripts that he donated to the university library.”
02a romantic partner
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Literary
n. a person that you love very much, usually a romantic partner.
n. a person who is greatly loved, typically used in a romantic or highly sentimental context.
“He wrote a beautiful poem dedicated to his beloved.”
“In the final act of the play, the hero is reunited with his beloved after years of tragic separation.”
Usage
Often used with a possessive pronoun like 'my' or 'his'.
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “beloved” in context.
Verb
01. become beloved
“The quirky little cafe quickly became beloved for its cozy atmosphere and excellent coffee.”
verb + adj
02. cherish a beloved
“She continued to cherish a beloved childhood toy long after she had grown up.”
verb + noun
03. mourn a beloved
“The nation gathered to mourn a beloved leader who had served for three decades.”
verb + noun
Adjective
04. beloved by all
“The retiring professor was beloved by all his students for his kindness and wisdom.”
adj + prep
05. beloved pet
“Losing a beloved pet can be just as painful as losing a human family member.”
adj + noun
06. much beloved
“The much beloved community center was saved from demolition after a local campaign.”
adv + adj
Real-World Examples
“The grief and pain that BBC Radio 1 presenter Greg James described after his beloved chocolate labrador, Barney, was put to sleep felt all too familiar.” “In desperate trouble, 16-year-old Ezra’s only hope is to cross the Northern Irish border – even if that means leaving his quirky, beloved sister with their foster parents.” “Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, the beloved chaplain who became a national sensation for her unwavering support of Loyola University Chicago's men's basketball team, has died aged 106.” Etymology
From Middle English beloved, biloved, equivalent to belove + -ed.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
In Literature
Cover: Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons — Jacket design by R. D. Scudellari. Published by Alfred A. Knopf.
Beloved · 1987-09-01 · Historical fiction, magic realist fiction
- Author:
- Toni Morrison
Toni Morrison’s 1987 masterpiece follows Sethe, a formerly enslaved woman in Cincinnati who is haunted by the literal and figurative ghosts of her past. The title refers to the name inscribed on a gravestone, representing a child who was dearly loved yet lost to the horrors of slavery. Through this haunting presence, the novel explores the intense, often painful bonds between a mother and the children she treasures most.
- 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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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