amorous

adjective

am·​o·​rous ˈa-mə-rəs How to pronounce amorous (audio)
ˈam-rəs
1
: strongly moved by love and especially sexual love
amorous couples
2
: being in love : enamored
usually used with of
amorous of the girl
3
a
: indicative of love
received amorous glances from her partner
b
: of or relating to love
an amorous novel
amorously adverb
amorousness noun

Examples of amorous in a Sentence

Vickers has now turned his formidable powers to "A Lover's Complaint". This 329-line amorous oration was published with the Sonnets in 1609, though it is probably little read even by those for whom the sonnets are a form of poetic oxygen. Harold Love, Times Literary Supplement, 6 July 2007
The first commercial valentines were produced in the U.S. in 1834 by one Robert H. Elton, and the custom of sending greeting cards with amorous messages has persisted. Phillip Lopate, Wigwag, February 1990
His amorous affairs he flaunted as if they were masterpieces, and he invited his marital partner to share in the esthetic experience. John Updike, New York Times Book Review, 29 Mar. 1987
He has an amorous nature. male birds engage in amorous behavior—nest-building, singing, showing off their finery—in order to attract females
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.
Every spring, amorous male greater sage-grouse strut their stuff in western North America. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 May 2025 As Milo is accosted by an amorous fan at a restaurant, the pair look stunned. Lisa Kennedy, New York Times, 1 May 2025 The dramatic wheels are set in motion early, with Shu-Fen, always pressed for money, further strapped by her decision to pay for her estranged ex-husband’s funeral, while attracting the amorous attentions of the good-natured doofus who runs the neighboring knick-knack stand. Jessica Kiang, Variety, 15 May 2025 In Season 2, Alberta gently rebuffed Pete's amorous advance. Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 10 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for amorous

Word History

Etymology

Middle English amorous, amerous, borrowed from Anglo-French amerous, amerus, amorous (continental Old French amoreus, amorous), going back to Vulgar Latin *amōrōsus, from Latin amōr-, amor "love" + -ōsus -ous — more at amour

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of amorous was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Amorous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amorous. Accessed 22 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

amorous

adjective
am·​o·​rous ˈam-(ə-)rəs How to pronounce amorous (audio)
1
: tending to love : easily falling in love
an amorous nature
2
: of, relating to, or caused by love
an amorous glance
amorously adverb
amorousness noun
Etymology

Middle English amorous "moved by love," from early French amorous (same meaning), derived from Latin amare "to love" — related to amateur

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