adorable

adjective

ador·​able ə-ˈdȯr-ə-bəl How to pronounce adorable (audio)
1
: extremely charming or appealing
an adorable child
an adorable cottage
2
: worthy of adoration or veneration
adorability noun
adorableness noun
adorably adverb

Examples of adorable in a Sentence

They live in an adorable little cottage. what an adorable old lady, so kind and sweet
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The PJs are available in five styles overall, including an adorable strawberry print and striped pattern. Clara McMahon, People.com, 29 Apr. 2025 Watch the video below, where the New Zealand rockers forage in blue raincoats and encounter some adorable cows. Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 28 Apr. 2025 Maxim, 'The Legend of Ochi' (2025) Wielding shoddy armor and sword, Dafoe brings a goofy but tender spirit to a blowhard dad who leads a group of local boys to hunt and fear mythic (and adorable) creatures known as the Ochi. Brian Truitt, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2025 The secret life of pangolins These small and adorable mammals are one of the most trafficked animals in the world. Jade Walker, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for adorable

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, "worthy of veneration," going back to Middle French, borrowed from Latin adōrābilis, from adōrāre "to venerate, adore" + -bilis "capable (of acting or being acted upon)" — more at -able

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of adorable was in 1601

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Adorable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adorable. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

adorable

adjective
ador·​able ə-ˈdōr-ə-bəl How to pronounce adorable (audio)
-ˈdȯr-
1
: deserving to be adored
2
: charming, lovely
an adorable child
adorableness noun
adorably adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on adorable

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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