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 matching collar and cuffs that fit with the general colour scheme — lovely stuff. Nick Miller, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026 The ultra-cushioned insole keeps your feet feeling happy and looking lovely, even on a long afternoon. Sarah Scott, Southern Living, 20 Aug. 2026
Noun
In an early scene, poor Christian attends a dating event, having gamed the system, with his perfect numerical logic, so that all the potential lovelies are lined up at his table. Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 24 Apr. 2025 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
  • There’s this wonderful character in the book, Lucky’s childhood friend [Steph].
    Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Toronto is a wonderful city, and this will be a Saturday night game featuring Sidney Crosby in the place for hockey.
    Josh Yohe, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • There are a lot of on-the-road songs about travels through this strange, heartbreaking, and beautiful planet.
    Marissa R. Moss, Rolling Stone, 23 Aug. 2026
  • The skyline floated like an uncanny but beautiful projection off to our side.
    Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 23 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Another stunner was Brentford’s 3-nil win over Tottenham Hotspur.
    Greg Cote August 23, Miami Herald, 23 Aug. 2026
  • The big stunner was Ed Carpenter Racing's Alexander Rossi, who made an early exit after looking solid all day long.
    Matt Reigle OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Fjord, Cristian Mungiu’s legal thriller starring podcast favorite Renate Reinsve and Sebastian Stan; Hope, an action film starring Squid Game breakout Hoyeon; and Gentle Monster, led by an excellent Léa Seydoux.
    Alex Jhamb Burns, Vogue, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Servite 0-1 (62) The Friars lost to an excellent Centennial of Corona team, 41-21, in Rick Garretson’s first game as Servite’s head coach.
    Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 24 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Over the course of about a half hour on stage, Shonen Knife fed their Ramones like punk sensibility through a Beach Boys lens, producing a unique brand of jangly, melodic, hooky punk rock complete with gorgeous live harmonies.
    Jim Ryan, Forbes.com, 22 Aug. 2026
  • One of the most gorgeous haunts in San Francisco is becoming a pretty good place to just gorge.
    John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • This paradox—a longing for beauty to be distributed equally, even though it cannot be diluted for ease of distribution, and might even require rarity—is why the period continues to fascinate me.
    Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The Birth of Products for Black Hair From its inception around the turn of the 20th century, commercial Black hair care has been a response to the lack of options on mainstream beauty shelves.
    Ava Welsing-Kitcher, Allure, 24 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • The lovely pool at the top of the property has a generous sunbathing area and fabulous views over the city and there’s a 24/7 gym up there with an al fresco area kitted out with brand new TechnoGym machines.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Pacific Grove has a quaint downtown with cute shops like The Quill, a fabulous stationery and gift store, and beautiful boutique hotels.
    Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 20 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • The reality is slightly less cute but certainly just as important.
    Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Lunchbox notes Top off your packed lunch with a cute and funny lunchbox note.
    ABC News, ABC News, 21 Aug. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lovely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lovely. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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