What is lovely? Pronunciation and usage in English

lovely means . Learn how to pronounce and use lovely through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of lovely

lovelyadjective

/ˈlʌvli/
Definition & pronunciation of lovely

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "lovely" in English. It's a tricky one for many learners! Here's a breakdown:

The most common and generally accepted pronunciation is:

  • /ˈləvli/ (This is written as "lev-lee")

Let's break it down syllable by syllable:

  1. "Lev": This syllable sounds like "level." Think of the word "level" - that's the sound you want. Notice the emphasis here.
  2. "Lee": This syllable sounds like "lee" (as in the name "Lee"). It's a short, quick "ee" sound.

Important Notes & Common Mistakes:

  • Don’t add an extra “r” sound: Many people, especially non-native speakers, mistakenly add an "r" sound at the end, making it "lovely-r." This is incorrect!
  • Stress: The stress is on the first syllable ("lev").

Resources for Hearing the Pronunciation:

  • Google Translate: Type "lovely" into Google Translate and click the speaker icon.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/lovely/ - This website provides pronunciations by native speakers.
  • YouTube: Search "how to pronounce lovely" on YouTube - you'll find many videos.

To help me give you even more specific guidance, could you tell me:

  • Where are you from? (Your native language can influence pronunciation.)

Usage and examples with the word lovely in English

Let's break down how to use the word "lovely" in English. It's a wonderfully versatile word, but it’s often misused! Here's a detailed guide:

1. Basic Meaning & Usage – Primarily for Positive Things

  • Core Meaning: "Lovely" generally means beautiful, pleasant, delightful, or charming. It expresses a feeling of enjoyment or appreciation.

  • Common Uses:

    • Describing Appearance: “She looks lovely in that dress.” (Referring to someone's appearance - clothing, hair, etc.)
    • Describing Places: “This garden is lovely.” (Referring to a place's beauty or atmosphere)
    • Describing Experiences: “We had a lovely time at the concert.” (Referring to a positive event or memory)
    • Describing People’s Character: "He's a lovely person." (Meaning he’s kind, friendly, and agreeable)

2. Nuances & Shades of Meaning

“Lovely” isn’t always a strong word like “beautiful.” It tends to be a slightly gentler, more understated expression of positivity. Here’s how it varies:

  • Mildly Beautiful: It's often used for things that are attractive but not breathtaking.
  • Pleasant & Agreeable: It can convey comfort and an enjoyable feeling.
  • Charming & Endearing: Especially when used about people.

3. Examples in Context

  • “The weather is lovely today.” (Pleasant weather)
  • “That’s a lovely painting.” (Attractive painting)
  • “They have a lovely little cottage in the countryside.” (Charming cottage)
  • “She's a lovely mother.” (Kind, caring, and good)
  • “It’s lovely to see you!” (Pleasing to see someone)
  • "A lovely cup of tea." (Pleasant beverage)

4. Don’t Use It for Negative Things

  • Incorrect: "That’s a lovely mistake." (Mistakes are, well, mistakes!)
  • Incorrect: "He’s a lovely liar." (Lying is generally considered undesirable.)

5. Alternatives – When You Want a Stronger Word

If you want to express a stronger sense of beauty or delight, consider these alternatives:

  • Beautiful: For a truly stunning visual.
  • Gorgeous: For something exceptionally beautiful.
  • Delightful: For something that brings great pleasure.
  • Wonderful: For something amazing or excellent.
  • Splendid: For something impressive and grand.

6. “Lovely” as an Intensifier (Less Common)

Sometimes, "lovely" is used to intensify another adjective, but this is becoming less common and can sound a bit old-fashioned.

  • Example: “It’s a lovely warm day.” (Here, “lovely” emphasizes the warmth.) However, “It’s a warm day” is perfectly fine.

Resources for Further Learning:

Do you want me to:

  • Give you more examples?
  • Explain how “lovely” is used in a specific sentence?
  • Compare “lovely” to similar words (like “nice” or “pretty”)?

Synonyms for the word lovely

Idioms of the word lovely

lovely and warm, cold, quiet, etc.
(British English, informal)used when you are emphasizing that something is good because of the quality mentioned
  • It's lovely and warm in here.

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