all for love: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Literary, formal, elevated; used in rhetoric, storytelling, and descriptive contexts.
Quick answer
What does “all for love” mean?
A state where love is the sole, overwhelming motivation for one's actions, often involving significant sacrifice.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A state where love is the sole, overwhelming motivation for one's actions, often involving significant sacrifice.
Describes total devotion to a romantic or idealistic cause, where practical considerations or personal gain are entirely disregarded for the sake of love or a deeply held passion.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Slightly more frequent in British literary and theatrical contexts due to the Dryden play title.
Connotations
Both varieties share the same core dramatic/sacrificial connotation. In American usage, it can sometimes be used more broadly for any passionate, non-commercial pursuit (e.g., 'he does it all for love, not money').
Frequency
Low frequency in both, but recognised as a cultural phrase.
Grammar
How to Use “all for love” in a Sentence
[Subject] + [verb of action/sacrifice] + all + for + love (of + [person/cause])It was done all for love.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “all for love” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He gave up his career, all for love.
- They relocated to Cornwall, having decided it was all for love.
American English
- She turned down the job offer, doing it all for love.
- He's changing his whole life, and it's all for love.
adverb
British English
- He acted all for love, with no thought for the consequences.
- She followed him all for love across the continents.
American English
- They built the charity all for love, not for recognition.
- He quit his band all for love of a quieter life.
adjective
British English
- It was an all-for-love gesture that defined his character.
- Her all-for-love attitude was both admirable and reckless.
American English
- His all-for-love decision surprised everyone.
- It's not a business; it's an all-for-love project.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used; if so, metaphorically: 'He invested in the startup all for love of the technology, not the potential return.'
Academic
Used in literary criticism or historical analysis of romantic themes.
Everyday
Used in personal, emphatic declarations about motivation: 'I'm moving abroad, and it's all for love.'
Technical
Not applicable.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “all for love”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “all for love”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “all for love”
- Using 'all for a love' (adding an article).
- Confusing it with 'all for one, one for all'.
- Using it in non-sacrificial contexts (e.g., 'I cooked dinner all for love').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a literary and somewhat dramatic phrase. It is recognised but used sparingly, typically for emphasis in personal or artistic contexts.
Yes, it can be extended to any deep passion or cause (e.g., 'all for love of science,' 'all for love of country'), though the romantic sense is primary.
The opposite is acting for purely pragmatic, financial, or self-interested reasons, e.g., 'all for money,' 'for purely practical considerations.'
Use it as an adverbial phrase explaining motivation, usually after an action verb. Structure: [Action] + [all for love]. Example: 'He sacrificed his stability all for love.'
A state where love is the sole, overwhelming motivation for one's actions, often involving significant sacrifice.
All for love is usually literary, formal, elevated; used in rhetoric, storytelling, and descriptive contexts. in register.
All for love: in British English it is pronounced /ɔːl fə ˈlʌv/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɑːl fər ˈlʌv/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “All for love and the world well lost.”
- “To do something for love nor money.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the famous line: 'All for love, and the world well lost.' The phrase 'ALL' is given entirely 'FOR' the cause of 'LOVE'.
Conceptual Metaphor
LOVE IS A HIGHER CAUSE / LOVE IS A FORCE JUSTIFYING SACRIFICE.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the phrase 'all for love' LEAST likely to be used appropriately?