1 : to feel great affection for (someone) : to feel love for (someone) [+ obj] ▪ She obviously loves her family very much. ▪ To know him is to love him. [=the people who know him feel great affection for him] [no obj] ▪ You have to love in order to be loved. 2 [+ obj] : to feel sexual or romantic love for (someone)
▪ He swore that he loved her madly. ▪ He loves her, but she doesn't love him back. [=she doesn't return his love] ▪ She said she could never marry a man she didn't love. 3 [+ obj] a : to like or desire (something) very much : to take great pleasure in (something)
▪ He loves good food. ▪ a much-loved old song ▪ I would love it if you came with us. = I would love you to come with us. = (US) I would love for you to come with us. [=I would be very happy if you came with us] — often followed by to + verb ▪ I would love to have you come with us. ▪ She loved to play the violin. ▪ “Would you like to join us?” “Yes, I'd love to (join you).” — often + -ing verb ▪ She loved playing the violin.
b informal : to be very amused by (something)
▪ I just love it [=I find it very amusing] when politicians say that they don't care about polls. = I just love how politicians say that they don't care about polls. 4 [+ obj] : to do very well in (certain specified conditions)
▪ This plant loves dry soil.