adorable

adjective

ador·​able ə-ˈdȯr-ə-bəl How to pronounce adorable (audio)
Synonyms of adorable
1
: extremely charming or appealing
an adorable child
an adorable cottage
2
: worthy of adoration or veneration
adorability
ə-ˌdȯr-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce adorable (audio)
noun
adorableness
ə-ˈdȯr-ə-bəl-nəs How to pronounce adorable (audio)
noun
adorably
ə-ˈdȯr-ə-blē How to pronounce adorable (audio)
adverb

Synonyms of adorable

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Examples of adorable in a Sentence

They live in an adorable little cottage. what an adorable old lady, so kind and sweet
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.
For a more casual pair of comfy everyday flats, try these adorable Dolce Vita jelly shoes. — Jordan Julian, InStyle, 7 Aug. 2026 Ted was an adorable lead and head coach and despite his lack of experience or knowledge of soccer, his remarkable way with people took everyone off guard, including viewers. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 As a guest on a 2024 episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show, the singer shared the adorable story of how his sons Matteo and Valentino first discovered their dad was a big-time musician. — Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 6 Aug. 2026 Bernadette tells Stuart and Kripke that she was expelled from the guild for using her powers during the strike to bring her neighbor’s son’s adorable rescue dog Chocolate Chip back to life after he was hit by several cars. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for adorable

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, "worthy of veneration," going back to Middle French, borrowed from Latin adōrābilis, from adōrāre "to venerate, adore" + -bilis "capable (of acting or being acted upon)" — more at -able

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of adorable was in 1601

Rhymes for adorable

See All Rhymes for adorable

Browse Nearby Words

adorability
adorable
adorant
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Adorable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adorable. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

adorable

adjective
ador·​able ə-ˈdōr-ə-bəl How to pronounce adorable (audio)
-ˈdȯr-
1
: deserving to be adored
2
: charming, lovely
an adorable child
adorableness noun
adorably
-blē How to pronounce adorable (audio)
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on adorable

Nglish: Translation of adorable for Spanish Speakers

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