lovable

adjective

lov·​able ˈlə-və-bəl 

variants or less commonly loveable

: having qualities that attract affection

the hero's lovable sidekick

—Terrence Rafferty

he's the gruff but lovable grandpa

—John Garrity

lovability

ˌlə-və-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

lovableness noun

lovably

ˈlə-və-blē 

adverb

Synonyms

• adorable
• darling
• dear
• disarming
• endearing
• lovesome
• precious
• sweet
• winning
• winsome

Examples of lovable in a Sentence

He has a bad temper, but he's still lovable.

she was a lovable child, always helpful and kind

Recent Examples on the Web

Together with his gang of lovable rogues, Turpin rides the highs and lows of his new endeavors, including a brush with celebrity. —Jake Kanter, Deadline, 16 Jan. 2025

Compared with the recent boom of espionage series subverting the traditionally self-serious genre — Slow Horses’s lovable losers, Black Doves’s anarchic sense of humor, The Day of the Jackal’s soap-opera goofiness — this preoccupation seems damn near old-fashioned. —Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 16 Jan. 2025

Not exactly lovable loser status, but never a league powerhouse. —Bill Field, Hartford Courant, 10 Jan. 2025

This story immediately reminded me of Michael Scott, the lovable yet often misguided character from The Office. —Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

lovable

adjective

lov·​able

variants also loveable

ˈləv-ə-bəl 

: having qualities that tend to make one loved

lovableness noun

lovably

-blē 

adverb