adore

[uh-dawr, uh-dohr]

verb (used with object)

adored, adoring 

1. to regard with the utmost esteem, love, and respect; honor.

   Synonyms: venerate, revere, reverence, idolize
   Antonyms: abhor

2. to pay divine honor to; worship.

   to adore God.

3. to like or admire very much.

   I simply adore the way your hair is done!

verb (used without object)

adored, adoring 

1. to worship.

adore

/ əˈdɔː /

verb

1. (tr) to love intensely or deeply

2. to worship (a god) with religious rites

3. informal,  (tr) to like very much

   I adore chocolate

Other Word Forms

• adorer noun
• adoringly adverb
• unadored adjective
• unadoring adjective
• unadoringly adverb
• adoring adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of adore¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; from Latin adōrāre “to speak to, pray, worship,” from ad- ad- + ōrāre “to beg, plead, speak” ( oration ); replacing Middle English aour(i)e, from Old French aourer, from Latin

Word History and Origins

Origin of adore¹

C15: via French from Latin adōrāre, from ad- to + ōrāre to pray

Example Sentences

“I adored the comedy scene in New York, but the allure of L.A. is undeniable,” she says.

From Los Angeles Times

The actor said he "adored" Armani and was meant to be seeing him this month, adding that the designer was there for "so many significant moments in my life".

From BBC

Thousands of adoring fans had watched them hatch on a 24-hour webcam that monitors the family and now they were growing up — fast.

From Los Angeles Times

The family said that Harper's little sister "adored her big sister and is grieving an unimaginable loss".

From BBC

Kuang has come to adore Henry’s work, but unlike most of Henry’s fans, she didn’t discover the books organically.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• admire 
• cherish 
• delight in www.thesaurus.com
• fall for 
• idolize 
• revere 
• worship