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.
No duh — the stars happen to be adorable puppies, and the stories sound a constant theme, that good things come in small packages, a foolproof rallying cry that fills the hearts of its target audience. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 12 Aug. 2026 This mode is also another chance to reinterpret Marvel through an anime lens, this time turning the mighty combatants into adorable, chibi versions of themselves. — Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 11 Aug. 2026 That doesn’t stop them from having the occasional adorable or silly moment, however. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 11 Aug. 2026 That sensitivity is reflected in the adorable strategy Hunnam employed to detox from playing Gein throughout the production. — Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 10 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 16 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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