Amor

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A strong emotional connection characterized by affection and care for another, often manifesting as romantic or familial love, and sometimes depicted symbolically in various artistic forms
2. An intense sentiment of tenderness and attachment toward someone, which may be romantic or familial in nature, and frequently illustrated through artistic and mythological representations
3. A deep feeling of attachment and fondness typically found in romantic relationships or close bonds

Etymology: The English noun "amor" is a rare, mostly literary word, and its origin is tied to the Latin word it resembles. Classical Latin "amor" meant love in the broad sense, from the verb "amare" (to love), and it reached English as a borrowing that was perhaps partly shaped by Spanish "amor," which carries the same meaning. In English it has stayed a deliberately foreign-sounding term, so it tends to signal a poetic or intentionally exotic register rather than everyday speech. Because English already had "love" from Old English "lufu," the borrowed form never displaced the native word. Its appeal lies in that contrast: the Latin original sounds more formal and romantic to many ears, which explains why writers reach for it when they want love to feel grander or more distant.

Synonyms: love, affection, adore, devotion

Antonyms: hate, dislike, aversion