/ ˈlʌvli; NAmE / adjective , noun
■ adjective ( love·lier , love·li·est )
HELP NOTE : You can also use more lovely and most lovely .
( especially BrE )
1.
beautiful; attractive :
lovely countryside / eyes / flowers
She looked particularly lovely that night.
He has a lovely voice.
➡ note at beautiful
2.
( informal ) very enjoyable and pleasant; wonderful :
'Can I get you anything?' 'A cup of tea would be lovely.'
What a lovely surprise!
How lovely to see you!
Isn't it a lovely day?
We've had a lovely time.
It's a lovely old farm.
It's been lovely having you here.
➡ note at wonderful ( ironic )
You've got yourself into a lovely mess, haven't you?
3.
( informal ) ( of a person ) very kind, generous and friendly :
Her mother was a lovely woman.
HELP NOTE : Very lovely is not very common and is only used about the physical appearance of a person or thing.
•
IDIOMS
- lovely and warm, cold, quiet, etc.
■ noun
( pl. -ies ) ( old-fashioned ) a beautiful woman
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English luflic (see love , -ly ).