at love

phrase

: holding one's opponent scoreless in tennis

Word History

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of at love was in 1894

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“At love.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/at%20love. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.

Last Updated: - Definition revised
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster