ENGLISH
REFERENCE

beloved

adj. · n.
US //bɪˈɫəvd// beloved
  1. 1 dearly loved (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    very much loved and appreciated.

    dearly loved; held in deep affection. Often used before a noun to indicate a strong emotional bond.

    Example

    The old man read the letter from his beloved granddaughter every single day.

    Example

    The professor retired after forty years, leaving behind a beloved collection of rare manuscripts that he donated to the university library.
  2. 2 a romantic partner (n.)
    C1 Advanced Literary

    a person that you love very much, usually a romantic partner.

    a person who is greatly loved, typically used in a romantic or highly sentimental context.

    Example

    He wrote a beautiful poem dedicated to his beloved.

    Example

    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'.
Origin

From Middle English beloved, biloved, equivalent to belove + -ed.

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