I. ˈləvlē, -li adjective
( usually -er/-est )
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English luflīc, from lufu love + -līc -ly — more at love
1. obsolete : disposed to affectionate or amorous love
2. : meriting love by moral or ideal worth
3. : delightful for beauty, harmony, or grace : attractive because of natural charm
a strange shy lovely girl — John Masefield
and the stars are lovely and gleaming on the lightless heavenly floor — William Morris
conservation and wise use of resources can make a wealthy people in a lovely land — H.W.Odum
then we remember that harsh unflurried, that harsh unembittered laughter, and we look up the lovely lines in the book — Edmund Wilson
4. : most pleasing : grand , swell
a good man and a lovely preacher — Ruth Suckow
if you go, the chances are you'll have a lovely time — Wolcott Gibbs
Synonyms: see beautiful
II. adverb
Etymology: Middle English, beautifully, affectionately, willingly, from Old English luflīce affectionately, willingly, from luflīc, adjective
obsolete : beautifully
III. noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English, beautiful one, from lovely, adjective
1. : a beautiful girl or woman ; especially : a professional beauty (as a show girl)
swept off his feet by this tempestuous young lovely — Irish Digest
the world of impresarios, stage lovelies, and night club music — Times Literary Supplement
2. : a lovely object
hemstitched lovelies that are soft, smooth, and lint-free — Sears, Roebuck Cat.
3. : an outstanding or egregious example : beauty