adore
uh-DOR
/əˈdɔːr/
To love and admire someone or something deeply and passionately.
Implies reverence or intense fondness, often used casually for things one likes very much.
The story behind the word. In ancient Rome, 'adorare' meant to direct prayers toward a deity, combining 'ad-' (to) and 'orare' (to speak or pray). Over centuries, as religious rhetoric infused courtly romance, the word softened from sacred worship into deep human love.
Word relationships
- idolize: Idolize implies blind worship or putting someone on a pedestal, whereas adore emphasizes deep love and affection.
- revere: Revere carries a formal, respectful honor rather than warm emotional closeness.
- detest: Detest indicates intense hatred or dislike, the exact opposite of loving deeply.
- loathe: Loathe implies active disgust and strong aversion.
Commonly confused with
- adorn: Adorn means to decorate or beautify, while adore means to love deeply.
Word family
- adoration (noun): Deep love and respect.
- adorable (adjective): Inspiring great affection or delight.
- adoringly (adverb): In a manner that shows great love or worship.
Collocations
- adore completely
- absolutely adore
- adore every moment
Idioms & expressions
- held in adoration
Example sentences
- "She adored her younger sister with a protective intensity that defied her own youth." Literary depiction of maternal love
- "The family absolutely adores their rescue golden retriever." Casual conversation about pets
Memory hook
Think of opening a DOOR to someone you ADORE with open arms. Worship turned into warm love.
When not to use
Do not use in formal business reports to mean simple approval or preference.
Fun facts
- In modern English, 'adore' is frequently used hyperbolically for food, fashion, or pets.
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