The Rice University Neologisms Database

To admire; often a casual expression of love. ("I heart Sherry; we’re best friends.") Apparent Meaning: To love; adore. The noun root HEART has taken on a verb form. The girl who used the term was expressing her strong admiration for the music star. Possible Reason Used: The noun HEART is commonly associated with or thought to be the source of passions and love. It is generally though of as the residence of one’s deepest feelings. The noun has taken on a verb form particularly among youth, who find the phrase “I heart you” to be a more playful and less meaningful phrase than “I love you.” Thus, the phrase “I heart” is often used to refer to admired celebrities or characters. Also, the phrase “I love you” has been written as “I” followed by an image of a heart and “you.” The usage of noun HEART as a verb may be the result of reading the text-image message as “I ‘heart’ you” rather than as the intended “I love you.”