Love is not a word

Love is one of the most commonly used words in the English language, yet it is often one of the hardest to define. We use it to describe everything from favourite foods and places to the deepest human connections. But can love really be captured by a dictionary definition, or is it something that can only be understood through experience? 

L – O – V – E.

Oh, how we take these four letters for granted. Often we hear: I love London, I love that film, I love Krispy Kreme doughnuts.

Merriam-Webster, Cambridge, Oxford and Google’s dictionaries all have definitions for what the word ‘love’ is in various parts of speech.

Now, ignoring the dictionary definition, try to put into words what you feel love is.

In your description, you will find that your own definition may not fit any dictionary’s definition.

This is because LOVE IS NOT A WORD!

Love transcends tenses and dictionary blurbs. Love surpasses all parts of speech and cannot be limited to a noun. The walking, living, breathing embodiment of my love cannot be described in a word.

Love cannot be defined, only experienced

In my humble opinion, love cannot be defined (apologies, English scholars). You can, however, spot love on display a mile away.

A mother’s gentle cuddle as she consoles and nurses her injured child. The intense and palpable passion in a look shared between lovers, young and old. Expressions of love take different forms, and can be recognised without needing a generic dictionary definition to tell us what they are.

Walking through the door of love

Think of love as a shut door. You may have had a glimpse through the window, or peeked through the doorknob, or even listened through the space under the door. Until you decide to walk through the door and experience love in its entirety, you'll never understand what love truly is.

Love is everywhere

Life is love. Love is in the air we breathe, the water we drink, scents we dab on to our bodies - everything. The reason you can read this post is that someone had enough love and patience to teach you to read.

And so next time, when you have the urge to say "I love McDonald's", take a minute and think. Because love is so much more.

What does love mean to you?