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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 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
Noun
Who were these boys hurting with their lovely locks? Margaret Talbot, New Yorker, 21 July 2025 Embark on hikes along vineyard trails (Johan Vineyards has some lovely routes) or through the serene forests at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Trappist Abbey. Zoe Baillargeon, Travel + Leisure, 20 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for lovely
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lovely
Adjective
  • Happy Birthday – and may every day be another wonderful secret.
    Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 26 July 2025
  • Brad Schmitt Hey there, new neighbors, and welcome back to our intro to Nashville and all the wonderful things the city has to offer you.
    Brad Schmitt, The Tennessean, 26 July 2025
Adjective
  • Nicky Hilton Rothschild poses with some beautiful flowers at the Net-a-Porter & Mr Porter Summer in the Hamptons Cocktail Party in Sagaponack, N.Y. on July 17.
    Escher Walcott, People.com, 21 July 2025
  • So whether your interest involves creating beautiful spaces, improving people's health, or something completely different, there's no reason not to explore its business potential.
    Sarah Hernholm, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
Noun
  • Luxury hotel brand Raffles chose Boston for its first foray in North America, and the Back Bay hotel is simply a stunner.
    Kim Foley MacKinnon, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
  • The windowed bathroom is an Art Deco stunner in its own right: vintage tiles and the original cast-iron tub, plus a sweet floral wallpaper no buyer should ever strip.
    Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 22 July 2025
Adjective
  • One of the best examples is her novel Made for Love, perhaps better known as an HBO show starring the excellent Cristin Milioti.
    The Atlantic Culture Desk, The Atlantic, 23 July 2025
  • Aloe vera is low-maintenance, making the houseplant an excellent option for beginner houseplant owners, who don’t have much time for excessive plant care.
    Michelle Mastro, Architectural Digest, 23 July 2025
Adjective
  • Charbroiled Island Creek Oysters At Walrus Rodeo in Miami, this gorgeous dish is made with jalapeño, Franciacorta, and breadcrumbs.
    Aly Walansky, Forbes.com, 29 July 2025
  • The gorgeous blooms and lush landscaping are more than worth the quick commute.
    Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 29 July 2025
Noun
  • Alternatively, get an eyeful of the Leake Street Arches—aka the London Graffiti tunnel—beneath Waterloo Station, and pop out on Lower Marsh, with its centuries-old street market and proper Lambeth vibe.
    Emma John, AFAR Media, 24 June 2025
  • Locals get an eyeful of contemporary art inside at the Seattle Art Museum as well as in the open air at the Olympic Sculpture Park.
    Amelia Mularz, Architectural Digest, 28 May 2025
Adjective
  • The actors are so terrific and their chemistry so palpable that the hangout scenes in their fabulous Baxter Building penthouse — with a domestic droid that’s like Rosie the Robot from The Jetsons meets Number 5 from John Badham’s Short Circuit — are some of the movie’s most appealing interludes.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 22 July 2025
  • For a more casual option, Big Wesser Riverside Pub is a fabulous stop to satiate your appetite after—or during—an adventure-centric day.
    Jennifer Prince, Southern Living, 22 July 2025
Adjective
  • Because linen pants are comfortable and cute, the options are endless.
    Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 July 2025
  • Fortunately, Amazon is having a massive sale on cute linen clothes, and prices start at just $20.
    Emily Weaver, People.com, 19 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lovely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lovely. Accessed 1 Aug. 2025.

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