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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
So it’s been lovely to hear young and seasoned filmmakers talk about how the movie has been inspiring in terms of what the rules are in Hollywood right now. Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 17 Feb. 2026 That’s the loveliest thing about it. Reshma Gopaldas, Vogue, 17 Feb. 2026
Noun
The first flowering of the reblooming variety of these perennial lovelies is in June. Erynn Hassinger, Country Living, 22 Apr. 2023 No, Colin Frissell hooking up with the three lovelies in Wisconsin. Kyle Smith, National Review, 10 Dec. 2019 See All Example Sentences for lovely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lovely
Adjective
  • Thankfully, the wonderful leaders of our great state of Florida have corrected this problem.
    Krys Fluker, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 Feb. 2026
  • Spring is a wonderful time of year to visit, before the crowds descend for the summer months.
    Irenie Forshaw, TheWeek, 17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Her elegant collaboration was a reminder that the world has long created the kinds of crises that threaten our stability today, and a good artist finds a way to make work that shows us a way through it, even if the answer is as simple as making something beautiful.
    Rachel Tashjian, CNN Money, 18 Feb. 2026
  • Prepare for the muse to arrive in strange and beautiful ways during Pisces season.
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Orchids might seem like finicky houseplants, but with the proper care, that grocery store stunner can bloom for years and years.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 13 Feb. 2026
  • Wander through a glorious garden Even in winter, the Bay Area’s premier gardens are stunners.
    Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • There’s also bubbles (the champagne by the glass selection is excellent) and raclette cart service.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Feb. 2026
  • The regular season is different from the playoffs, but surely Detroit is champing at the bit to get a rematch of last year’s excellent first-round matchup with the Knicks this postseason.
    James L. Edwards III, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • This half-zip has an oversized fit that’s ideal for casual wear, and six different colors are on sale, including gorgeous jewel tones like Red Merlot and Cosmo.
    Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2026
  • For minimalists, Abasks’s smart leather bags come in gorgeous hues, and feature washable interiors.
    Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 14 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Links can be seen between the popularity of K-beauty – a sector estimated by research firm Mintel to be worth more than $90 billion – and the rise of Korean culture internationally.
    Kati Chitrakorn, CNN Money, 19 Feb. 2026
  • The beauty of his images, amid unnatural constraints, isn’t a matter of style but of natural force.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • No outfit is complete without a fabulous bag and a cute pair of shoes.
    Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 15 Feb. 2026
  • Black-eyed Susan also self-seeds in the garden to keep your fence line looking fabulous.
    Arricca Elin SanSone, Southern Living, 14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Real Arizonans know that Valentine's Day is so much more than an excuse for candy and cute notes.
    Becky Bartkowski, AZCentral.com, 14 Feb. 2026
  • From workplace romances to relationships built from body horror events, these are the precious pairs encouraging everyone to choose love above all and make that cute hand heart gesture.
    Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 14 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Lovely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lovely. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.

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