[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/lovely/)

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# lovely

adjective (lovely, lovelier, loveliest)

«lovely» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Very nice, pleasant or beautiful. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lovely/#m1)
2. Kind and friendly: «she's a lovely person». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lovely/#m2)
3. (UK, informal) Used to say thank you or «great»: «Lovely, thanks!». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lovely/#m3)

### In the lessons

In everyday life, people say «lovely» to praise food, weather, places and people; very common in the UK, Ireland, Australia and NZ. In stories it describes beautiful things. Manners: «That's lovely, thank you» is a polite reply. Phrases: «lovely to see you», «a lovely day», «lovely and warm».

### Examples

- What a lovely day for a picnic! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lovely/#x1)
- Thank you for the lovely present. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lovely/#x2)
- Our new neighbour is a lovely lady. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lovely/#x3)
- The bath was lovely and warm. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lovely/#x4)
- «Here's your tea.» «Lovely, thanks!» [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lovely/#x5)
- It was lovely to see Grandma again. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lovely/#x6)
- The garden looks lovely in spring. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lovely/#x7)
- Mignon grew more lovely every day. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lovely/#x8)

### Note

It ends in «-ly» but it is an adjective, not an adverb: «a lovely song». You cannot say «she sings lovely»; say «she sings beautifully». Comparatives: lovelier, loveliest.

## In Jewish tradition

It means beautiful and dear. A psalmist calls God's tabernacles lovely.

**Interpretation.** Tradition reads "lovely tabernacles" as the longing of Israel for God's house. In the Song of Songs, "altogether lovely" is the bride's praise for God.

### Examples

- How lovely are Thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts! (Writings PSA.84.2, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/L/lovely/#x1)
- His mouth is most sweet; yea, he is altogether lovely. (Writings SNG.5.16, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/L/lovely/#x2)
- A lovely hind and a graceful doe, let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; with her love be thou ravished always. (Writings PRO.5.19, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/L/lovely/#x3)

### Note

It ends in «-ly» but it is an adjective, not an adverb: «a lovely song». You cannot say «she sings lovely»; say «she sings beautifully». Comparatives: lovelier, loveliest.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «lovely» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/L/lovely/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«lovely» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/lovely.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «lovely» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/L/lovely/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«lovely» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/lovely.html) on Mova free.