lovely

USAGE SUMMARY

'lovely' is a perfectly correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is beautiful or to express approval or appreciation. For example: "The view from my balcony was simply lovely."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's lovely.

The New York Times

He's very sweet, polite, hard-working, kind and generally lovely.

The Guardian - Opinion

We would also like to thank the staff at the hospital who have been very accommodating, have been lovely to us and have protected our privacy".

The Guardian - Travel

A lovely man and one of the most talented politicians of his time.

The Guardian

"It was lovely".

The New York Times

We just launched a design your own boots service and I have designed a lovely pair for spring.

The Guardian

It was a lovely touch but it was not really Totti who should be apologising.

The Guardian - Sport

The book's last sequence, Lucinda's Way, is the sweetest – a fond remembrance of a lovely sounding marriage, one in which she never threw away a scrap of his writing "without kissing it first", and in which Reid, as he puts it, was "second always to you, the dashing heroine".

The Guardian - Books

My ex-boyfriend's lovely dad used to pour it on his puddings as a sauce.

The Guardian - Opinion

Making over 200 appearances for Liverpool and winning an FA Cup, League Cup and eight England caps would amount to a lovely career for most players, but it was a pitiably small return for Jones' talent.

The Guardian - Sport

The location is spot on, too – in the Recoleta neighbourhood, which is known for its lovely squares, parks, cafés and galleries.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lovely" to describe experiences, objects, or people that evoke a sense of warmth and pleasure. It is particularly effective in creating a positive and inviting tone in your writing.

Common error

While "lovely" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or professional writing where more precise or sophisticated vocabulary might be more appropriate. Consider alternatives like "delightful" or "pleasant" for a more nuanced expression.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "lovely" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something pleasing, attractive, or delightful. Ludwig provides many examples where "lovely" describes various nouns such as "day", "melody", or "blooms".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lovely" functions primarily as an adjective used to express a positive sentiment, describing something as pleasing or attractive. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a perfectly usable word in written English to describe something beautiful or express approval. While versatile, it is best suited for neutral contexts and should be used judiciously in highly formal settings. Ludwig's examples show its prevalence in News & Media, highlighting its role in conveying positive attributes across diverse subjects. When looking for alternatives, consider synonyms like "delightful" or "charming" to achieve a similar effect with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

beautiful

Highlights aesthetic appeal, often used for visual aspects but applicable to other senses.

wonderful

Expresses strong approval and admiration, indicating something exceptionally good.

delightful

Conveys a sense of great pleasure and charm, slightly more enthusiastic than "lovely".

exquisite

Implies a high degree of beauty and refinement, suggesting something delicately perfect.

charming

Emphasizes attractiveness and the ability to please, focusing on an alluring quality.

attractive

Indicates the quality of drawing interest or admiration, focusing on appeal.

enjoyable

Focuses on the experience of deriving pleasure from something, highlighting the satisfaction it brings.

pleasant

Indicates a general sense of enjoyment and agreeableness, less intense than "lovely".

agreeable

Suggests harmony and a pleasing nature, often used in formal contexts.

nice

A general term for something agreeable or pleasing, less emphatic than "lovely".

FAQs

How can I use "lovely" in a sentence?

"Lovely" can be used as an adjective to describe something pleasing or beautiful. For example: "It's a "lovely day"" or "She has a "lovely smile"".

What are some synonyms for "lovely"?

Alternatives to "lovely" include "delightful", "pleasant", "charming", "beautiful", and "wonderful". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "lovely" appropriate for formal writing?

While "lovely" is widely understood, it might be considered less formal than alternatives like "delightful" or "pleasant". Consider the context and audience when choosing your words.

What is the difference between "lovely" and "beautiful"?

"Beautiful" typically refers to visual appeal or aesthetic quality, while "lovely" encompasses a broader sense of pleasure or enjoyment. Something "beautiful" is visually striking, while something "lovely" evokes warmth and positive feelings.