Definition of AMOROUS (original) (raw)
1
: strongly moved by love and especially sexual love
2
: being in love : enamored —usually used with of
amorous of the girl
3
a
: indicative of love
received amorous glances from her partner
b
: of or relating to love
Synonyms
Examples of amorous in a Sentence
Vickers has now turned his formidable powers to "A Lover's Complaint". This 329-line amorous oration was published with the Sonnets in 1609, though it is probably little read even by those for whom the sonnets are a form of poetic oxygen. —
Harold Love, Times Literary Supplement, 6 July 2007 The first commercial valentines were produced in the U.S. in 1834 by one Robert H. Elton, and the custom of sending greeting cards with amorous messages has persisted. —Phillip Lopate, Wigwag, February 1990 His amorous affairs he flaunted as if they were masterpieces, and he invited his marital partner to share in the esthetic experience. —John Updike, New York Times Book Review, 29 Mar. 1987
He has an amorous nature. male birds engage in amorous behavior—nest-building, singing, showing off their finery—in order to attract females
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Mattioli was convinced that this fragrance hinted at an aphrodisiac quality of the plant and embarked on a mission to create a potion from its flowers that would heighten amorous interest among those who drank it. —Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 30 Jan. 2025 Zeus The hot-headed, thunderbolt-wielding, amorous overlord of Olympus. —Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 20 Jan. 2025 And what better moment to lean into an amorous aesthetic than your wedding day? —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 9 Jan. 2025 Kennebunkport, Maine While Kennebunkport is charming year-round, February brings a month-long celebration of love, transforming this coastal town into an amorous wonderland for its Paint the Town Red celebration. —Boutayna Chokrane, Vogue, 1 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for amorous 
Word History
Etymology
Middle English amorous, amerous, borrowed from Anglo-French amerous, amerus, amorous (continental Old French amoreus, amorous), going back to Vulgar Latin *amōrōsus, from Latin amōr-, amor "love" + -ōsus -ous — more at amour
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of amorous was in the 14th century
Dictionary Entries Near amorous
Cite this Entry
“Amorous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amorous. Accessed 14 Feb. 2025.
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Last Updated: 12 Feb 2025 - Updated example sentences
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