lovely

Everyday

1. Very nice, pleasant or beautiful. tree →
2. Kind and friendly: «she's a lovely person». tree →
3. (UK, informal) Used to say thank you or «great»: «Lovely, thanks!». tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life, people say «lovely» to praise food, weather, places and people; very common in the UK, Ireland, Australia and NZ. In stories it describes beautiful things. Manners: «That's lovely, thank you» is a polite reply. Phrases: «lovely to see you», «a lovely day», «lovely and warm».

Examples

• What a lovely day for a picnic! tree →
• Thank you for the lovely present. tree →
• Our new neighbour is a lovely lady. tree →
• The bath was lovely and warm. tree →
• «Here's your tea.» «Lovely, thanks!» tree →
• It was lovely to see Grandma again. tree →
• The garden looks lovely in spring. tree →
• Mignon grew more lovely every day. tree →

Note

It ends in «-ly» but it is an adjective, not an adverb: «a lovely song». You cannot say «she sings lovely»; say «she sings beautifully». Comparatives: lovelier, loveliest.

In Jewish tradition

It means beautiful and dear. A psalmist calls God's tabernacles lovely.

Interpretation. Tradition reads "lovely tabernacles" as the longing of Israel for God's house. In the Song of Songs, "altogether lovely" is the bride's praise for God.

Examples

• How lovely are Thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts! (Writings PSA.84.2, JPS 1917) tree →
• His mouth is most sweet; yea, he is altogether lovely. (Writings SNG.5.16, JPS 1917) tree →
• A lovely hind and a graceful doe, let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; with her love be thou ravished always. (Writings PRO.5.19, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

It ends in «-ly» but it is an adjective, not an adverb: «a lovely song». You cannot say «she sings lovely»; say «she sings beautifully». Comparatives: lovelier, loveliest.