Definition

1. Noun:
   • A symbol for love: A representation of love, typically depicted as a winged, naked, cherubic boy holding a bow and arrow.
   • (Roman mythology) God of love: The Roman god of love and desire, identified with the Greek god Eros.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The Valentine's Day card was decorated with a picture of a smiling cupid.
  • In Roman mythology, Cupid is the son of Venus, the goddess of love.

Advanced Usage

• "to play cupid": To act as a matchmaker; to try to bring two people together romantically.
  • My friend tried to play cupid by introducing me to her cousin.

Variants and Related Words

• Cupidity (noun): An intense desire for wealth or possessions; greed. (Note: This word is related etymologically but has a very different meaning from the god of love).
  • The king's cupidity led him to raise taxes unfairly.

Synonyms

• Eros: The Greek counterpart of Cupid.
• Amor: Another name for the Roman god of love.
• Cherub: A type of angel often depicted similarly to Cupid, though cherubs are religious symbols, not gods of love.

Idioms

• "Cupid's arrow": Refers to the metaphorical arrow shot by Cupid that causes someone to fall in love.
  • She felt like she had been struck by Cupid's arrow when she first saw him.

Noun

1. a symbol for love in the form of a cherubic naked boy with wings and a bow and arrow
2. (Roman mythology) god of love; counterpart of Greek Eros