Loveliness

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈlʌvlinəs/

Definitions

1. The quality of being attractive, beautiful, or delightful in appearance or manner
2. The state of possessing a delightful charm, aesthetic appeal, or beauty that captivates and inspires admiration in others
3. The attribute of possessing captivating beauty, enchanting charm, or delightful appeal that elicits admiration and affection from observers

Etymology: "Loveliness" is a plain formation: the adjective "lovely" with the suffix "-ness", which turns an adjective into a noun for a quality. The base "lovely" comes from "love" with the suffix "-ly" (meaning "like" or "having the appearance of"), so the word literally describes the state of being like something worthy of love. The noun arrived in English in its Middle English form "luflynes," built on the same pattern. Its meaning has stayed close to the adjective's: a quality that pleases the eye or the mind. Because "-ness" can be attached to almost any adjective, English speakers have long used it to name qualities on demand, and "loveliness" is one of the older and more widely used examples of that pattern.

Synonyms: beauty, attractiveness

Antonyms: ugliness