# lovely

/ˈɫəvɫi/ (US) · /lˈʌvli/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/lovely
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. beautiful or attractive

adjective · CEFR A2

very beautiful or attractive to look at.

For teachers: possessing qualities that inspire delight through beauty, harmony, or grace.

- We had a lovely view of the mountains from our hotel window.
- The garden was filled with lovely roses that filled the evening air with a delicate, sweet perfume.

### 2. pleasant or enjoyable

adjective · CEFR A2 · British English

very pleasant, enjoyable, or nice.

For teachers: highly enjoyable or pleasant in a general sense; often used as a generic positive intensifier in British English.

- It was a lovely day for a walk in the park.
- We spent a lovely afternoon browsing the local markets and sampling traditional pastries with our hosts.

### 3. kind or friendly

adjective · CEFR B1

having a kind and friendly personality.

For teachers: demonstrating a kind, amiable, or morally admirable character.

- Our new neighbours are a lovely couple who helped us move in.
- She is a lovely person who always goes out of her way to support colleagues during difficult projects.

### 4. an attractive person

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal

a person who is very attractive or beautiful.

For teachers: an attractive or beautiful person, often used in a professional or informal context.

- The magazine featured several young lovelies on its summer cover.
- The gala was attended by the city's young lovelies, all dressed in the latest high-fashion designs.

### 5. term of affection

noun · CEFR B2 · British English · Informal

a friendly name you call someone you like.

For teachers: a term of endearment or fond address used in informal social interactions.

- Thanks for the help, lovely.
- The shopkeeper smiled and said, 'That will be five pounds, lovely,' as she handed over the groceries.

### 6. beautifully

adverb · CEFR C2 · Informal · Dialect

in a very nice or beautiful way.

For teachers: in a lovely or beautiful manner; functions as a synonym for 'beautifully' in informal registers.

- The children were all dressed up lovely for the wedding.
- The old piano still plays lovely despite having been neglected in the attic for several decades.

## Examples

- We had a lovely time at the park today.
- The hotel room has a lovely view of the mountains and the lake below.
- The evening was marked by a lovely sunset that cast a warm, golden glow across the entire valley, creating a perfectly peaceful atmosphere for our walk.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.