lovelyadj.int.n.
/ˈlʌvli/, U.S. /ˈləvli/ A. adj. (and int.)† 1. † 2. Lovable; deserving of love or admiration. Obsolete.In later use passing into sense A. 3.
a. Loving, kind, affectionate. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > [adjective]
lovesomeOE
lovelyOE
amorousa1393
lovinga1450
lovingly1493
beloving1549
amorevolousa1670
romantic1866
amorist1882
the mind > emotion > love > affection > [adjective]
chisa700
lovewendeOE
lovingOE
lovelyOE
kinda1375
fond1539
fainingc1540
affectionate1576
affectioned1578
affectiousc1580
affectionateda1586
affecting1600
dear1609
affective1613
affectional1689
attached1734
aff1752
warm1765
lovey1920
OE Wærferð tr. Gregory Dialogues (Corpus Cambr.) (1900) iii. xxxvii. 251 Se Godes wer..frefrode hi mid luflicum wordum.
a1200 MS Trin. Cambr. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1873) 2nd Ser. 5 For þanne beð noman siker ar he ihere þat lufliche word of ure louerd ihesu cristes swete muðe, Venite benedicti patris mei.
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 315 Swich ach wummone lare to beon. luuelich & liðe.
c1300 (?c1225) King Horn (Cambr.) (1901) 454 Seie ihc him biseche Wiþ loueliche speche Þat he adun falle Bifore þe king.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 13260 (MED) He sermund wit his loueli spek And heild mani þat war seke.
c1425 (c1400) Laud Troy-bk. l. 565 And welcomed hem with louely chere.
a1500 (c1375) G. Chaucer Anelida & Arcite (Harl. 7333) (1878) 142 For sheo to him so lovely was and trewe.
1537 T. St. Aubyn Let. 25 June in Lisle Papers (P.R.O.: SP 3/13/97) f. 119 Wt moste hertye & lovelye recommendacions.
1583 Clinton, Purser & Arnold To Their Countreymen sig. A3 Then louely friendes..As you haue cause coniecture so of me.
?1602 Narcissus (MS Bodl. Rawl. poet. 212) (1893) 129 Wee are..the kings owne lovely subiects.
1681 J. Flavell Method of Grace xii. 258 O what a lovely friend is Jesus Christ to Believers!
b. Amorous. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > amorous love > [adjective] > (of persons) inclined to love
lovelyc1225
amorousa1393
lovesome1575
nutty1819
amatorious1893
c1225 (?c1200) St. Margaret (Bodl.) (1934) 32 (MED) Ich..scheote..Lihtliche on alre earest, wið luueliche lates, wið steape bihaldunge eiðer on oðer.
c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer Miller's Tale (Hengwrt) l. 156 And many a louely look on hem he caste And namely on this Carpenters wyf.
a1450 Generides (Pierpont Morgan) (1865) 1585 (MED) A louelie loke than he hir sent.
1556 tr. J. de Flores Histoire de Aurelio & Isabelle sig. A7 Whatsoeuer man that was vnto the louely passions disposed, sodenly..burned for her.
1587 M. Grove Pelops & Hippodamia (1878) 74 The letter of a friend of a wounded Louer,..to disswade him from this louelie follie.
1592 J. Lyly Midas iii. iii Amerula, another tale or none, this is too louely. Sua. Nay let me heare anie woman tell a tale of x lines long without it tend to love, and I will [etc.].
1613 W. Gamage Linsi-woolsie ii. xxxv. sig. D5v Sweat of Body, and a louely kisse.
1677 A. Horneck Great Law of Consideration ii. 33 The lovely looks of that Harlot [sc. sensuality]; its curious Dresses, its treacherous Glances shall commit a Rape upon my Affections no longer.
c. Scottish. Friendly, amicable. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > friendliness > [adjective]
holdc893
friendOE
fellowly?c1225
couthlyc1275
friendfulc1379
amiablea1382
commonc1384
queema1400
lovely1409
acquaintablea1425
familiarc1425
great1483
friendlikea1500
towardly15..
amicable1532
friendable1569
amical1580
graceful?1593
accostable1611
amicous1676
lovable1691
clever1758
unchilled1794
tosh1821
mately1822
1409 in J. Stuart & G. Burnett Exchequer Rolls Scotl. (1880) IV. ccx [Thai] sal nocht tak that caus furth bot in lufely manere as the lach will.
a1649 W. Drummond Hist. Scotl. (1655) 12 After lovely advice at the Council-Table..he was freely dismist.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > quality of being lovable > [adjective]
lieflyOE
lovesomeOE
lovelyOE
leesomec1200
loveful?c1225
love-worthc1225
loveworthya1250
amiablea1375
lovablec1422
amorousa1425
amable1492
OE Stowe Psalter lxxxiii. 2 Quam dilecta tabernacula tua domine uirtutum : hu luflice geteld þin drihten mihta.
OE Prognostics (Tiber.) in Anglia (1944) 67 108 Luna xiima: omnibus operibus utilis est... Puer natus bonus, amabilis : mona se twelfta, on eallum weorcum nytlic ys... Cild acenned god, luflic.
c1300 Holy Cross (Laud) l. 500 in C. Horstmann Early S.-Eng. Legendary (1887) 15 (MED) Þou art a suyþe louelich treo.
c1390 (a1376) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Vernon) (1867) A. vii. 263 (MED) Þis is a loueli lesson—vr lord hit þe for-ȝelde.
1489 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) i. 389 Quhen he wes blyth he was lufly.
a1500 tr. Thomas à Kempis De Imitatione Christi (Trin. Dublin) (1893) 131 (MED) Louely fader, it is worþy þat þis houre þi seruaunt suffre somwhat for þe.
a1513 H. Bradshaw Lyfe St. Werburge (1521) i. xiv. sig. e.iiiiv But moost louely father, I pray you hertfully Take no dysplesure.
a1586 Sir P. Sidney Arcadia (1590) i. xv. sig. K2 Being beloued in all companies for his louely qualities.
1638 F. Junius Painting of Ancients 192 I am almost loth to say it, (sayth Quintilian) because it may be mistaken that shamefastnesse is a vice, but a lovely one.
1658 W. Sanderson Compl. Hist. Life King Charles 5 One may see..the actions of her self..to be excellent, full of Wit, and a lovely manner of expressing it.
1748 G. White Serm. (MS.) Though God be..more lovely than Man, yet 'tis more natural and easy..for us in our present state to love men than God.
1785 T. Reid Ess. Intellect. Powers viii. iv. 749 The moral virtues, which in a peculiar manner constitute a lovely character.
1812 W. S. Landor Count Julian i. iii What we love Is loveliest in departure!
1846 J. Ruskin Mod. Painters II. 209 If his mind be..sweetly toned what he loves will be lovely.
3. Lovable or attractive on account of beauty.
a. Of a person, the body, etc.: beautiful; physically attractive.
ΚΠ
c1230 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Corpus Cambr.) (1962) 7 Sum is ald & eðelich..Sum is ȝung & luuelich.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 16635 (MED) Þai spitted on his luueli face, þaa disciplis of hell.
c1400 (?c1390) Sir Gawain & Green Knight (1940) l. 52 Þe louelokkest ladies þat euer lif haden.
a1425 (a1400) Prick of Conscience (Galba & Harl.) (1863) 690 Be he never swa stalworth and wyght, And comly of shap, lufly and fayre.
c1440 (a1400) Awntyrs Arthure (Thornton) l. 162 My lyre als the lely, lufely to syghte.
1560 W. Baldwin Funeralles Edward VI sig. B.iii Like Mercury in euery kinde of grace, Save that he had a much more lovely face.
1590 C. Marlowe Tamburlaine: 2nd Pt. sig. F8 This louely boy the yongest of the three.
1590 C. Marlowe Tamburlaine: 2nd Pt. sig. G Wel louely boies, you shal be Emperours both.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Taming of Shrew (1623) Induct. ii. 64 Til the teares..Like enuious flouds ore-run her louely face. View more context for this quotation
1671 A. Behn Forc'd Marriage ii. v. 33 And 'tis my friend too that's become my Rivall. I saw her lovely eyes still turn on him.
1720 D. Manley Power of Love i. 22 The Brother was not only more lovely than the Sister, but handsome beyond all Things.
1722 B. Star tr. Mlle. de St. Phale vii. 220 I never saw two lovelier Gentlemen in my Life, nor so beautiful a Virgin.
1752 H. Fielding Covent-Garden Jrnl. 13 Aug. 2/2 The Ladies..covered their lovely Necks.
1816 S. T. Coleridge Christabel ii. 37 He bids thee come without delay..And take thy lovely daughter home.
1898 F. Montgomery Tony 14 What a lovely face!
1911 H. S. Harrison Queed xxi. 267 Two lovely young girls.
1941 B. Miller Farewell Leicester Square v. 104 Alec Berman has hundreds of the loveliest women in England at his beck and call.
1995 A. Enright Wig my Father Wore 189 Lovely eyes, big smile, really good pectorals.
b. Of a thing: beautiful; pleasing to the senses.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > [adjective]
smickerc725
faireOE
lieflyOE
sheenOE
wenlichc1000
wlitic1000
lovesomec1175
lustya1240
flourisheda1375
lovelya1400
weenc1400
beauteous1435
beautifulc1443
finec1450
pulchriousa1500
speciousa1513
shanda1525
speciosea1525
pulchrousc1540
bonny1580
beauty1598
lovelike1621
killing1634
florid1642
beautied1830
stunning1849
fairsome1862
pulchritudinous1877
beaut1894
loverly1907
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Fairf. 14) 1005 Þe louelist place of al landes.
c1400 (?c1380) Pearl 692 As quo says: ‘Lo ȝon louely yle! Þou may hit wynne if þou be wyȝte’.
c1425 (c1400) Laud Troy-bk. l. 4193 Day is dawed and is day, It was a louely morn.
c1450 (c1400) Cuckoo & Nightingale (Fairf.) (1975) 72 They coude that seruise alle bye rote. Ther was mony a lovely note.
c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy (2002) f. 26 Was neuer sython vnder son Cite so large..Nonso luffly on to loke in any Lond oute.
c1560 A. Scott Poems (S.T.S.) xix. 33 Nane may..in to þat lufly bour Mak residens.
1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 79 See how mischiefe appeares in a louely and vndistempered Scene.
1634 T. Herbert Relation Some Yeares Trauaile 214 Corall, white and louely.
1686 G. Burnet Lett. Present State Italy iv. 193 Crusted with inlayings of lovely Marble, in a great variety.
1693 J. A. Barnard Bohun's Geogr. Dict. (new ed.) at Haspaam Upon the River there is a lovely Stone Bridge.
1786 J. Champion Poems 7 The songsters..All hail the smiling lovely day.
1866 M. Arnold Thyrsis iii, in Macmillan's Mag. Apr. 449 And that sweet City with her dreaming spires..Lovely all times she lies, lovely to-night.
1884 Queen Victoria More Leaves 123 We came upon Loch Ard, and a lovelier picture could not be seen.
1917 M. Gyte Diary 25 May (1999) 132 The girls received the brooches..which are very lovely from Tony.
1955 R. M. Pearl How to know Minerals & Rocks 139 Its crystals are some of the loveliest in the mineral kingdom.
1995 Discover 13 Aug. 10/4 It is lovely in the fall and tradition says this is the place to go for leaf-viewing.
c. Morally or spiritually beautiful; attractive in character.Sometimes difficult to distinguish from sense A. 2.
ΚΠ
a1635 R. Sibbes Bowels Opened (1639) xiv. 346 A deformed person, man or woman, of a homely complection and constitution, yet notwithstanding..we discerne them by their conversation to be very wise and of a lovely and sweet spirit.
1704 S. Mackensie Vis Unita Fortior ii. Pref. sig. N6 It's the being endowed with such a serene and lovely Spirit as this, that will make God make good his promise to us.
1771 M. S. Montague Orig. Ess. on Woman ii. 21 The lovely Soul is through the Body seen.
1803 R. Southey Select. from Lett. (1856) I. 315 The life and death of that man were equally lovely.
1828 M. M. Sherwood Poor Burruff (ed. 2) 15 I hope that all the little boys who read this, may learn thereby how lovely it is to be kind to dumb creatures.
1861 J. Edmond Children's Church at Home iii. 50 Make us like the lovely child Jesus.
1870 J. R. Lowell Rousseau in Among my Bks. 1st Ser. 338 Every man feels instinctively that all the beautiful sentiments in the world weigh less than a single lovely action.
1918 Times 24 June 10/2 Mrs Benson led me farther and farther into the intimate recesses of her lovely soul.
1940 Middlesboro (Kentucky) Daily News 15 Feb. 2/4 A real, superior lovely person who loves him for himself not his money.
1996 M. Cheek Sleeping Beauties i. 2 Utterly well-meaning, utterly lovely of character, utterly beautiful inside and utterly devoid of Nature's Opportunity.
4.
a. In weakened use: excellent; delightful, pleasant, nice; enjoyable. Now also as int.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > excellence > [adjective]
faireOE
bremea1000
goodlyOE
goodfulc1275
noblec1300
pricec1300
specialc1325
gentlec1330
fine?c1335
singulara1340
thrivena1350
thriven and throa1350
gaya1375
properc1380
before-passinga1382
daintiful1393
principala1398
gradelya1400
burlyc1400
daintyc1400
thrivingc1400
voundec1400
virtuousc1425
hathelc1440
curiousc1475
singlerc1500
beautiful1502
rare?a1534
gallant1539
eximious1547
jolly1548
egregious?c1550
jellyc1560
goodlike1562
brawc1565
of worth1576
brave?1577
surprising1580
finger-licking1584
admirablea1586
excellinga1586
ambrosial1598
sublimated1603
excellent1604
valiant1604
fabulous1609
pure1609
starryc1610
topgallant1613
lovely1614
soaringa1616
twanging1616
preclarent1623
primea1637
prestantious1638
splendid1644
sterling1647
licking1648
spankinga1666
rattling1690
tearing1693
famous1695
capital1713
yrare1737
pure and —1742
daisy1757
immense1762
elegant1764
super-extra1774
trimming1778
grand1781
gallows1789
budgeree1793
crack1793
dandy1794
first rate1799
smick-smack1802
severe1805
neat1806
swell1810
stamming1814
divine1818
great1818
slap-up1823
slapping1825
high-grade1826
supernacular1828
heavenly1831
jam-up1832
slick1833
rip-roaring1834
boss1836
lummy1838
flash1840
slap1840
tall1840
high-graded1841
awful1843
way up1843
exalting1844
hot1845
ripsnorting1846
clipping1848
stupendous1848
stunning1849
raving1850
shrewd1851
jammy1853
slashing1854
rip-staving1856
ripping1858
screaming1859
up to dick1863
nifty1865
premier cru1866
slap-bang1866
clinking1868
marvellous1868
rorty1868
terrific1871
spiffing1872
all wool and a yard wide1882
gorgeous1883
nailing1883
stellar1883
gaudy1884
fizzing1885
réussi1885
ding-dong1887
jim-dandy1888
extra-special1889
yum-yum1890
out of sight1891
outasight1893
smooth1893
corking1895
large1895
super1895
hot dog1896
to die for1898
yummy1899
deevy1900
peachy1900
hi1901
v.g.1901
v.h.c.1901
divvy1903
doozy1903
game ball1905
goodo1905
bosker1906
crackerjack1910
smashinga1911
jake1914
keen1914
posh1914
bobby-dazzling1915
juicy1916
pie on1916
jakeloo1919
snodger1919
whizz-bang1920
wicked1920
four-star1921
wow1921
Rolls-Royce1922
whizz-bang1922
wizard1922
barry1923
nummy1923
ripe1923
shrieking1926
crazy1927
righteous1930
marvy1932
cool1933
plenty1933
brahmaa1935
smoking1934
solid1935
mellow1936
groovy1937
tough1937
bottler1938
fantastic1938
readyc1938
ridge1938
super-duper1938
extraordinaire1940
rumpty1940
sharp1940
dodger1941
grouse1941
perfecto1941
pipperoo1945
real gone1946
bosting1947
supersonic1947
whizzo1948
neato1951
peachy-keen1951
ridgey-dite1953
ridgy-didge1953
top1953
whizzing1953
badass1955
wild1955
belting1956
magic1956
bitching1957
swinging1958
ridiculous1959
a treat1959
fab1961
bad-assed1962
uptight1962
diggish1963
cracker1964
marv1964
radical1964
bakgat1965
unreal1965
pearly1966
together1968
safe1970
bad1971
brilliant1971
fabby1971
schmick1972
butt-kicking1973
ripper1973
Tiffany1973
bodacious1976
rad1976
kif1978
awesome1979
death1979
killer1979
fly1980
shiok1980
stonking1980
brill1981
dope1981
to die1982
mint1982
epic1983
kicking1983
fabbo1984
mega1985
ill1986
posho1989
pukka1991
lovely jubbly1992
awesomesauce2001
nang2002
bess2006
amazeballs2009
boasty2009
daebak2009
beaut2013
1614 G. Markham Cheape & Good Husbandry i. 88 [The Swine] though he is accounted good in no place but the dish onely, yet there he is so louely and so wholesome that all other faults may be borne with.
1653 I. Walton Compl. Angler iii. 73 Come lets to supper. Come my friend Coridon, this Trout looks lovely . View more context for this quotation
1681 J. Chetham Angler's Vade Mecum iv. 43 Tis a lovely bait for the Winter and Spring.
1733 Pract. Husbandman & Planter I. iv. 79 Lucerne..is five or six Inches high in many places, and most lovely Food for Ewes and Lambs.
1797 H. W. Foster Coquette xvi. 46 We had a lovely tour this forenoon; were out three long hours, and returned to dinner in perfect harmony.
1860 C. Patmore Faithful for Ever iii. i. 171 Dear Fred wrote, Directly, such a lovely note.
1872 ‘G. Eliot’ in J. W. Cross George Eliot's Life III. 164 Mr. Lewes had ‘a lovely time’ at Weybridge.
1902 H. V. Esmond In & out of Punt 6 Do you remember the first week I knew you—our gorgeous luncheon in the flat, you and I alone? Oh lovely!
1971 News of World 21 Nov. 4/4 ‘Mmmmm, lovely,’ she sighed as she tucked into calorie-laden hors d'oeuvres.
2000 Sentinel (Stoke-on-Trent) 16 Sept. 28/1 Beware of impulsive buys that could waste much of the lovely lolly that lands in your lap.
b. Used as an intensifier with a predicative adjective or adverb in lovely and ——.
ΚΠ
1901 L. Becke Yorke the Adventurer 109 It's lovely and quiet here, but I wouldn't like to get a poisoned arrow into my back whilst drinking bottled beer.
1921 Times 13 Dec. 6/5 I received the blankets... They are just what you say—lovely and soft.
1937 Amer. Home Apr. 58/1 (advt.) Feel my Johnson's Baby Powder—isn't it lovely and downy and soft?
1965 G. Jones Island of Apples ii. vii. 140 It was lovely and warm in the Raymonds' little kitchen, they had the gas on and a huge fire of tarry coal blazing and flaring in the grate.
2003 C. Birch Turn again Home iv. 67 And there was the old Forge Bridge in Morland, lovely and shady.
B. n.
1. An attractive or beautiful person; (now) esp. an attractive and glamorous young woman. Also in extended use.In quot. 1876 ironic.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > [noun] > beautiful thing or person
fairnesseOE
roseOE
beautya1425
beauteous1435
lovelyc1450
beautifulness?1574
picturea1645
formosity1652
speciosity1660
vision1823
dream1837
jewel box1846
firecracker1852
beaut1896
the mind > attention and judgement > attractiveness > [noun] > glamour > glamorous person
lovelyc1450
glamour girl1935
glamour boy1939
glamour puss1952
c1450 in T. Wright Songs & Carols (1856) 55 (MED) Che curid that lovely in here sale; Che hyld that hyndin in here rest.
a1500 (a1400) Awntyrs Arthure (Douce) 397 Withe a launce one loft þat louely cone lede; A freke one a fresone him folowed, in fay.
1508 Golagros & Gawane (Chepman & Myllar) sig. cv Thai luschit and laid on thai luflyis of lyre.
1652 E. Benlowes Theophila sig. B3 Should one Love-knot All Lovelies tie.
1753 W. Hogarth Anal. Beauty xi. 81 Tho' the lovely seems likewise to have been as much the sculptor's aim.
1786 W. Cowper Let. 3 July (1981) II. 574 Our Love is with all your Lovelys both great and small.
1876 Daily Gaz. Bull. (Williamsport, Pa.) 11 Sept. A dispute arose between these two lovelies [sc. street-sweepers] as to who was entitled to the gutter.
1940 H. G. Wells Babes in Darkling Wood ii. i. 143 Not for many years have I had that hungry craving for everything, give and receive, from another human being. I can't imagine the man. What a marvel, what a lovely he'd have to be!
1967 Stage 2 Mar. 7/1 The six lovelies comprising Marie de Vere's Ballet Montparnasse.
1974 Times 22 Jan. 11 Gone are the remorseless parade of whey-faced classic lovelies, each indistinguishable from the other.
2003 Daily Star 25 Mar. 28/1 Our Page Three lovelies look in sensational shape in this phwoar phwoar two formation.
2. colloquial (originally and chiefly British). As a familiar or affectionate form of address: dear, sweetheart, love. Chiefly in my lovely. Cf. lovey n. 1, love n.1 6b.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > terms of endearment > [noun]
darlingc888
belamy?c1225
culver?c1225
dearc1230
sweetheartc1290
heartc1300
sweetc1330
honeya1375
dovec1386
jewelc1400
birdc1405
cinnamonc1405
honeycombc1405
lovec1405
wantonc1450
mulling?a1475
daisyc1485
crowdy-mowdy?a1513
honeysop?a1513
powsowdie?a1513
suckler?a1513
foolc1525
buttinga1529
whitinga1529
beautiful1534
turtle-dove1535
soula1538
heartikin1540
bully?1548
turtle1548
lamba1556
nyletc1557
sweet-lovea1560
coz1563
ding-ding1564
pugs1566
golpol1568
sparling1570
lover1573
pug1580
bulkin1582
mopsy1582
chuck1589
bonny1594
chick1594
sweetikin1596
ladybird1597
angel1598
muss1598
pinkany1599
sweetkin1599
duck1600
joy1600
sparrowc1600
sucket1605
nutting1606
chuckaby1607
tickling1607
bagpudding1608
heartling1608
chucking1609
dainty1611
flittermouse1612
honeysuckle1613
fubs1614
bawcocka1616
pretty1616
old thinga1625
bun1627
duckling1630
bulchin1633
bulch?c1640
sweetling1648
friscoa1652
ding-dongs1662
buntinga1668
cocky1680
dearie1681
chucky1683
lovey1684
machree1689
nykin1693
pinkaninny1696
nug1699
hinny1724
puss1753
pet1767
dovey1769
sweetie1778
lovey-dovey1781
lovely1791
ducky1819
toy1822
acushla1825
alanna1825
treat1825
amigo1830
honey child1832
macushla1834
cabbage1840
honey-bunch1874
angel pie1878
m'dear1887
bach1889
honey baby1895
prawn1895
hon1896
so-and-so1897
cariad1899
pumpkin1900
honey-bun1902
pussums1912
snookums1919
treasure1920
wogger1922
amico1929
sugar1930
baby cake1949
angel cake1951
lamb-chop1962
petal1974
bae2006
1791 W. Beckford Let. 24 Nov. in G. Chapman Beckford (1937) x. 237 Do my Pippin—my Codlin—my Nonpareil—Do my Lovely—make up a few pils.
1865 C. Dickens Our Mutual Friend II. iv. iv. 189 Give me leave to kiss your hand, my Lovely, and it's done!
1908 L. Nicolovius Tale confided by Woods v. iii. 55 Thank you, my lovelies, thanks!
1944 E. E. Cummings 1 x 1 p. xxxviii Yes is a pleasant country: if's wintry (my lovely).
2006 South Wales Echo (Nexis) 28 Jan. (News Extra ed.) 18 The suspect shouted ‘hello lovely’ and when she looked over he dropped his..tracksuit bottoms.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2008; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
lovelyadv.
/ˈlʌvli/, U.S. /ˈləvli/ a. Lovingly, affectionately. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > love > [adverb]
lovelyeOE
lovesomelyOE
dearlyc1275
cherelya1375
loveredlyc1390
lovelilya1400
lovinglyc1425
flirtatiously1863
eOE King Ælfred tr. Gregory Pastoral Care (Hatton) (1871) Pref. 3 Ælfred kyning hateð gretan Wærferð biscep his wordum luflice & freondlice.
a1225 (?OE) MS Lamb. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1868) 1st Ser. 17 (MED) Gif þin nexta freond agult wið þe..bide hine luueliche þet he þe do riht.
c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon Brut (Calig.) (1963) 7892 Cassibellaune..þus spec wið his folke & luueliche [c1300 Otho lofueliche] spilede.
a1300 (c1275) Physiologus (1991) 259 Ðus is ure Louerdes laȝe luuelike to fillen.
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) l. 975 William was gretliche glad & loueliche hire þonked.
c1390 Pistel of Swete Susan (Vernon) 237 Loueliche heo louted, and lacched hir leue At kynred and cosyn þat heo hed euere iknawen.
1451–1500 (c1400) Vision of Tundale 2153 Rowdanne..toke hym in his armes lufly.
?1504 S. Hawes Example of Vertu sig. gg.iv Dame Clennes loked vpon me louely.
1596 E. Spenser Second Pt. Faerie Queene iv. iii. sig. D2 Instead of strokes, each other kissed glad, And louely haulst from feare of treason free. View more context for this quotation
b. Willingly, with joy. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > wish or inclination > willingness > [adverb]
to goodeOE
thankc888
yernec888
lieflyc900
lovelyeOE
lustly971
willinglyOE
wilfullyc1000
with (also mid) heart and hand (also hands)OE
fainc1175
lustilya1225
lief1297
yfaȝea1300
blethelyc1300
goodlya1375
blelyc1380
willingc1384
bainc1400
acceptably1479
bainlya1500
cheerfully1523
towardly1523
desirously1531
pronely?1532
fainly1535
wilningly1597
bongre1598
libentiously1606
volently1614
propensely1648
easily1649
with (a) good grace1650
unreluctantly1655
with the best will (in the world)1814
unhesitatingly1829
unqualifyingly1841
unloathly1844
happily1889
eOE tr. Bede Eccl. Hist. (Otho) iv. xiv. 294 Þa gehet se bisceop, þæt he luflice [eOE Tanner leoflice, OE Corpus Oxf. luflice, L. libentissime] swa gedyde.
a1225 (?OE) MS Lamb. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1868) 1st Ser. 133 (MED) Euric mon þe lusteð luueliche godes wordes..scal habben eche lif.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) l. 9106 (MED) Bot al he tok in godds nam And thold luueli al þat scam.
c1450 How Good Wife taught her Daughter (Lamb. 853) (1948) 197 Loke loueli and in good lijf þou loue God and Holi Chirche.
2. Beautifully; excellently; (in later use also) nicely, well. Now chiefly colloquial (nonstandard).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beauty > [adverb]
lieflyc900
merelyeOE
fairOE
lovelya1375
featously1377
belliche1394
finelya1400
buttylly1496
lovelilya1500
well-favouredly1528
beautifully1538
beauteously1592
bonnily1595
love-likely1621
bonny1650
beautiful1767
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) 22 (MED) Buschys..were blowed grene & leued ful louely.
c1450 (?a1400) Wars Alexander (Ashm.) 426 A lyons heuyd was on-loft louely coruyn.
1598 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 1 iii. i. 121 Where being but yong I framed to the harpe Many an English ditty louely well. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Othello (1622) iv. ii. 70 O thou blacke weede, why art so louely faire? View more context for this quotation
1708 J. Philips Cyder ii. 344 The defecated liquor..Spouts into subject vessels, lovely clear.
1757 R. Colvill Poet. Wks. (1789) i. 114 The friendly star, which lately shone So lovely bright.
1811 W. R. Spencer Poems 191 Lovelier beams the noon-day splendour.
1889 F. Kemble Adv. Mr. Homespun in Switzerland i. iv. 14 She was lovely, and so lovely dressed.
1935 W. Soutar Poems 42 O luely, luely, cam she in And luely she lay doun.
1965 B. Took & M. Feldman in B. Took & M. Coward Best of Round Horne 56/1 Yes, he waves his fan lovely.
1984 J. Kelman Busconductor Hines i. 37 A lowly 10 pence; that would do, that would do me lovely.
2000 Guardian (Nexis) 10 Nov. (Features section) 4 A doctor under fire put anti-mustard gas ointment on [the wound]. It worked lovely.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2008; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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adj.int.n.OE
adv.eOE