phileō (to love)

Meaning

Usually translated “loving”, “loves” and “dearly love”. Open the dictionary entry below for the full range of meaning, with the verses it cites.

How it's translated

loving 5
loves 3
i dearly love 3
they love 2
i may kiss 2
was loving 2
do you dearly love 2
to kiss 1

Word-by-word English from the STEPBible tagged text.

Where it's used most

John 10
Matthew 4
Luke 2
Revelation 2
Mark 1
1 Corinthians 1

7 books in all.

Related words

Explore in Scripture

Matthew 6:5And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
Matthew 10:37He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
Matthew 23:6And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,
Matthew 26:48Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.
Mark 14:44And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely.
Luke 20:46Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts;

All 21 verses, by book

Matthew 4: 6:5 10:37 23:6 26:48
Mark 1: 14:44
Luke 2: 20:46 22:47
John 10: 5:20 11:3 11:36 12:25 15:19 16:27 20:2 21:15 21:16 21:17
1 Corinthians 1: 16:22
Titus 1: 3:15
Revelation 2: 3:19 22:15

Greek dictionary

φιλέω phileō · to love

φιλέω, -ῶ (φίλος), [in LXX: Gen.27:4, 9, al. (אָהַב), Gen.27:27, al. (נָשַׁק), La 1:2 (רֵעַ) Wis.8:2, al. ;] 1. to love (with the love of emotion and friendship, Lat, amare; v, SYN.): with accusative of person(s), Mat.10:37, Jhn.5:20; Jhn.11:3, 36 15:19 16:27 20:2 21:15-17, 1Co.16:22, Rev.3:19; ἐν πίστει, Tit.3:15; with accusative of thing(s), Mat.23:6, Luk.20:46, Jhn.12:25, Rev.22:15; with inf. (Isa.56:10; cf. Bl., § 69, 4), Mat.6:5. 2. to kiss: with accusative of person(s), Mat.26:48, Mrk.14:44, Luk.22:47 (cf. κατα-φιλέω).† SYN.: ἀγαπάω ω (which see), the love of duty and respect (AS)

From STEPBible’s Greek lexicon (based on Abbott-Smith).

Webster's 1828 Dictionary

How the English word “love” was understood when the King James Version was still the common Bible of English readers.

LOVE, verb transitive

luv. [Latin libeo, lubeo. See Lief. The sense is probably to be prompt, free, willing, from leaning, advancing, or drawing forward.]

In a general sense to be pleased with; to regard with affection, on account of some qualities which excite pleasing sensations or desire of gratification.“Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself” Matthew 19:19
To have benevolence or good will for. John 3:16

All definitions and other forms of “love”

LOVE, noun

An affection of the mind excited by beauty and worth of any kind, or by the qualities of an object which communicate pleasure, sensual or intellectual.
Courtship; chiefly in the phrase, to make love that is, to court; to woo; to solicit union in marriage.
Patriotism; the attachment one has to his native land; as the love of country.
Benevolence; good will.“God is love” 1 John 4:8
The object beloved.
A word of endearment.
Picturesque representation of love
Lewdness.
A thin silk stuff. obsolete

Noah Webster, An American Dictionary of the English Language (1828). Verse references are checked against the KJV. Read the full entry.