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Definition of lovelynext
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lovely

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noun

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective lovely differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of lovely are beautiful, comely, fair, handsome, and pretty. While all these words mean "exciting sensuous or aesthetic pleasure," lovely is close to beautiful but applies to a narrower range of emotional excitation in suggesting the graceful, delicate, or exquisite.

a lovely melody

When could beautiful be used to replace lovely?

The words beautiful and lovely are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, beautiful applies to whatever excites the keenest of pleasure to the senses and stirs emotion through the senses.

beautiful mountain scenery

How are the words comely and handsome related as synonyms of lovely?

Comely is like handsome in suggesting what is coolly approved rather than emotionally responded to.

the comely grace of a dancer

When is fair a more appropriate choice than lovely?

In some situations, the words fair and lovely are roughly equivalent. However, fair suggests beauty because of purity, flawlessness, or freshness.

fair of face

When would handsome be a good substitute for lovely?

While in some cases nearly identical to lovely, handsome suggests aesthetic pleasure due to proportion, symmetry, or elegance.

a handsome Georgian mansion

When is it sensible to use pretty instead of lovely?

Although the words pretty and lovely have much in common, pretty often applies to superficial or insubstantial attractiveness.

a painter of conventionally pretty scenes

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of lovely
Adjective
The Twin Cities will enjoy a lovely first day of meteorological summer. Chris Shaffer, CBS News, 1 June 2026 As someone who doesn’t like going into the water but enjoys the ocean's ASMR, this room was lovely. Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Noun
But don’t despair, my scarred and scarring lovelies. Matt Thompson, Spin, 10 Sep. 2023 Serve these layered lovelies in old-fashioned glasses to make the treat extra special. Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 July 2023 See All Example Sentences for lovely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lovely
Adjective
  • Delisle was fiery and wonderful, but the angel came later.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 June 2026
  • The retro American bar—with its picture windows right on the river—is a wonderful spot for a glass of fizz or a vintage Negroni.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
Adjective
  • There are beautiful walks and cycle rides and pretty Champenois villages in every direction, including Hautvillers, with the little church where Dom Pérignon is buried.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 June 2026
  • The playoff leader in goals, Howden had a beautiful tip on a shot by Theodore for his 11th of the playoffs and perhaps his most important in Game 1.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 3 June 2026
Noun
  • The 288-foot stunner, formerly known as Project Vento, has now been christened Angelique.
    Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 27 May 2026
  • The two screwed up a top-rope stunner as Excalibur struggled to explain what happened like a 2026 Jim Ross.
    Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026
Adjective
  • There are beautiful lake-side beaches and excellent trout fishing.
    ABC News, ABC News, 4 June 2026
  • The jury, under the excellent presidency of Park Chan-wook, who was both generous and confident, had extremely varied and highly democratic debates.
    Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 4 June 2026
Adjective
  • Carmen Electra wears a gorgeous sheer black dress to the premiere of Scary Movie 6 on June 3 in Los Angeles.
    People Staff, PEOPLE, 6 June 2026
  • Tomatoes from Plant City are gorgeous, deep and dark.
    Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 June 2026
Noun
  • The artist Theaster Gates, who has paid tribute to Black life and Black beauty in the center’s Forum building with a frieze of archival images from Ebony and Jet magazines, is also a neighbor to the center with his cultural revitalization projects through the Rebuild Foundation.
    Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 4 June 2026
  • Hailey Bieber's beauty brand Rhode is set to host a pop-up kiosk in Newport this month.
    Bailey Allen, The Providence Journal, 4 June 2026
Adjective
  • The backstory The 1 Hotel has taken over what was formerly the Hotel Vitale, which always had fabulous bones (lots of windows, spacious guest rooms) but had been feeling a little frayed for the last few years of its existence.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
  • Attorney Jeffrey Kessler, who is fabulous at his job, seriously had this to say following the hearing.
    Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 June 2026
Adjective
  • Keep scrolling to start the season strong with ’90s-but-better jelly mules, cute lightweight dresses, and a sling bag that’s about to become your water bottle’s new best friend.
    Annie Blackman, InStyle, 6 June 2026
  • Bonus points for picking separates in the same color palette (red and white is a particularly cute, preppy combo, as shown above).
    Kelsey Stewart, Glamour, 6 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Lovely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lovely. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.

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