Adorable

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /əˈdɔːɹəbəl/

Definitions

1. Exhibiting qualities that incite affection and tenderness in others
2. Evoking warm feelings or fondness through charming or pleasing traits
3. Causing one to feel a strong sense of love or admiration due to endearing characteristics

Etymology: "Adorable" looks like a simple case of "adore" plus the suffix "-able," but the verb and the suffix did not travel together. The Latin root "adōrāre" meant to worship or pray to, built from "ad" (toward) and "ōrāre" (to pray, plead). The adjective arrived in English by way of Middle French "adorable," and it carried its religious sense with it: something adorable was something worthy of worship, reserved for God and sacred objects. The shift to a light, affectionate sense came much later. Over the centuries, the idea of worship softened into intense love and admiration, and "adorable" drifted from describing what deserved reverence to describing what is simply delightful, especially a baby, a puppy, or a charming person. The Oxford English Dictionary records this as the word's ordinary modern use, so the everyday sense of "lovable" sits at the far end of a long slide from prayer.

Synonyms: lovable, charming, endearing

Antonyms: unpleasant, disagreeable