beloved
gb/bɪlˈʌvɪd/ us/bɪlˈʌvɪd/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
dearly loved and cherished
loved very much
Usage pattern:
a beloved [person/thing/place]
Common mistake:
Learners may say *beloved to me*; in modern English, *beloved by me* is possible but less common than *I love...* or *...is dear to me*.
Synonyms
cherished (Emphasizes valuing and caring for someone or something.)
|
dear (More common and often less formal than beloved.)
Antonyms
hated (Opposite feeling of strong dislike.)
|
unloved (Suggests a lack of love or affection.)
Collocations
beloved wife
|beloved husband
|beloved child
|beloved friend
|beloved pet
|beloved home
|beloved memories
|beloved grandmother
|beloved community
|beloved tradition
Themes
relationships
|emotions
|family
Examples
- She kept a photo of her beloved grandfather on her desk.
- The park is a beloved part of the neighborhood.
- He returned to his beloved hometown after many years away.
Learner examples
- This is my beloved dog.
- She is a beloved teacher.
adjective
B2
property
2
popular and well-liked
liked and loved by many people
Usage pattern:
a beloved [celebrity/book/character/place]
Common mistake:
Don’t use *beloved* for something merely “liked” (e.g., a new product); it suggests strong affection over time.
Synonyms
much-loved (Very close in meaning; often used in similar contexts.)
|
popular (Broader and weaker; doesn’t necessarily imply affection.)
Antonyms
unpopular (Not liked by many people.)
|
reviled (Strongly disliked or criticized.)
Collocations
beloved actor
|beloved singer
|beloved author
|beloved character
|beloved book
|beloved series
|beloved film
|a beloved figure
|a beloved coach
|a beloved institution
Themes
media
|culture
|people
|society
Examples
- He was a beloved comedian who made people laugh for decades.
- The show remains beloved by fans around the world.
- She’s one of the city’s most beloved public figures.
Learner examples
- The book is beloved by many readers.
Noun
C1
entity
3
a person you love
a person you love very much
Usage pattern:
my/your/his/her [beloved]
Common mistake:
As a noun, *beloved* usually needs a determiner (e.g., *my beloved*), not just *beloved* alone.
Synonyms
love (More informal; often used as a nickname in speech.)
|
sweetheart (Often affectionate and conversational; less formal than beloved.)
Antonyms
enemy (Someone you oppose rather than love.)
Collocations
my beloved
|his beloved
|her beloved
|their beloved
|to my beloved
|letters to my beloved
|lost beloved
|beloved and I
|beloved partner
|beloved spouse
Themes
relationships
|emotions
Examples
- He wrote a long letter to his beloved while he was overseas.
- She introduced him as her beloved, and everyone smiled.
- They planted a tree in memory of their beloved.
Learner examples
- I miss my beloved.
adjective
literary
C1
role
4
used as a formal address
a formal way to say “dear people”
Usage pattern:
Beloved, [statement]
Common mistake:
This use is uncommon in everyday conversation; using it casually can sound overly formal or old-fashioned.
Synonyms
dear (A more general and common form of address (e.g., Dear friends).)
Collocations
Beloved friends
|Beloved brothers and sisters
|Beloved brethren
|Beloved community
Themes
religion
|literature
|speeches
Examples
- Beloved, let us remember those who cannot be with us today.
- Beloved friends, thank you for your support over the years.
- Beloved brothers and sisters, please be seated.
Grammar
Dictionary form
beloved
IPA
GB/bɪlˈʌvɪd/
US/bɪlˈʌvɪd/
Syllables & stress
be - loved (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (loved)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: beloved
Noun
- Base: beloved
- Plural: beloveds
Word family
Expressions
dearly beloved
1/dˈɪɹli bɪlˈʌvɪd/
fixed phrase
literary
people who are loved very much
Used, especially in formal or religious speech, to talk to people who are loved very much.
Examples
- "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today," began the minister.
- The speech opened with the traditional words, "Dearly beloved."
dearly beloved
1/dˈɪɹli bɪlˈʌvɪd/
fixed phrase
literary
very loved (often ceremonial)
very loved (used in formal ceremonies)
Examples
- Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to celebrate this marriage.
- Dearly beloved, we have come together to remember her life and work.
- He began the speech with “Dearly beloved,” in a joking imitation of a wedding ceremony.