lovable

adjective

lov·​able ˈlə-və-bəl How to pronounce lovable (audio)
variants or less commonly loveable
: having qualities that attract affection
the hero's lovable sidekickTerrence Rafferty
he's the gruff but lovable grandpaJohn Garrity
lovability noun
lovableness noun
lovably adverb

Example Sentences

He has a bad temper, but he's still lovable. she was a lovable child, always helpful and kind
Recent Examples on the Web Milligan’s ability is in making Debra’s antisocial behavior a lovable model for exactly the person Clark’s Kimberly doesn’t want to be. Peter Marks, Washington Post, 2 June 2023 Texas offers great beaches, lovable small towns, and lots of great outdoor spaces in which to pitch a tent under the stars. Amanda Ogle, Travel + Leisure, 29 May 2023 In the series, the Gómezes are a family of wacky and weird showbiz performers led by their clueless, macho, yet lovable patriarch, Filiberto Gómez (Derbez). Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 May 2023 But Howerton brings something to BlackBerry, the scrappy Canadian indie about a scrappy Canadian company that changed the world, that goes above and beyond his usual lovable sociopath act. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 13 May 2023 Lady Featherington will stop at nothing to get her daughters — the spoiled Prudence (Bessie Carter) and Philippa (Harriet Cains), as well as lovable Penelope — married and at the top of the social ladder. Charlotte Walsh, Peoplemag, 3 May 2023 However, these former players weren’t included in this year’s game in an effort to phase out the popular and lovable fictional characters that fans of the series have come to love, like Hack Liner. Brian Mazique, Forbes, 3 May 2023 The lovable and energetic man who was both a sounding board for Gard on the bench and the glue that bonded the university, program, coaches and players is now trying to learn how to walk and talk again. Lori Nickel, Journal Sentinel, 14 Apr. 2023 Samira Wiley’s Poussey was one of the show’s heroic prisoners, a lovable character whose bravado was a mask for hidden pain. Matthew Gilbert, BostonGlobe.com, 13 Apr. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lovable.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

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

Dictionary Entries Near lovable

Cite this Entry

“Lovable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lovable. Accessed 9 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

lovable

adjective
lov·​able
variants also loveable
: having qualities that tend to make one loved
lovableness noun
lovably adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on lovable

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