love

Everyday

1. To care very deeply about someone, like family or close friends. tree →
2. To like something very much: «I love pizza». tree →
3. A noun: the strong warm feeling of caring for someone. tree →
4. A noun: a person or thing you love: «Music is her great love». tree →
5. In tennis: a score of zero. tree →
6. In the UK, «love» is a friendly way to speak to someone: «Thanks, love». tree →

In the lessons

In feelings lessons: love is shown by kindness, care, listening, sharing, keeping each other safe — not by being controlled or hurt. In stories love is a strong reason for what characters do. In everyday life: «Love from…» ends letters and cards. Phrases: fall in love, in love with, love from, with love, lots of love, I'd love to, love each other, love heart.

Examples

• I love my family. tree →
• We love going to the beach. tree →
• Grandma sent a card with lots of love. tree →
• I'd love to come to your party. tree →
• The puppy needs food, care and love. tree →
• Love from Emma. tree →
• The score in tennis is fifteen–love. tree →
• Thanks, love, said the lady in the shop. tree →

Note

Regular verb: loved, loving (drop the e). «Love doing» or «love to do» are both fine. «I'd love to» = a polite yes. In tennis «love» means 0 points. Love is not the same as «like»: love is stronger.

In Jewish tradition

In the Torah love is not only a feeling but loyalty shown by deeds. God shows love to those who love Him and keep His commandments, and people must love the stranger. The psalmist loves God's law, and the prophets say God loves Israel.

Interpretation. The rabbis call "love your neighbor as yourself" a great principle of the Torah. "You shall love the LORD your God" is said in the Shema twice a day. Malachi's "I have loved you" is read as God's constant love for His people.

Examples

• Love ye therefore the stranger; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. (Torah DEU.10.19, JPS 1917) tree →
• Now Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison; and Rebekah loved Jacob. (Torah GEN.25.28, JPS 1917) tree →
• and showing mercy unto the thousandth generation of them that love Me and keep My commandments. (Torah EXO.20.6, JPS 1917) tree →
• O how love I Thy law! (Writings PSA.119.97, JPS 1917) tree →
• I have loved you, saith the LORD. (Prophets MAL.1.2, JPS 1917) tree →
• 'How long, ye thoughtless, will ye love thoughtlessness? (Writings PRO.1.22, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Regular verb: loved, loving (drop the e). «Love doing» or «love to do» are both fine. «I'd love to» = a polite yes. In tennis «love» means 0 points. Love is not the same as «like»: love is stronger.