cupid

IPA/ˈkjuː.pɪd/
KK[kjˈupɪd]IPA/ˈkjuː.pɪd/

cupid — noun

  • cupidsingular
  • cupidsplural

1. the god from Roman stories who causes people to fall in love, usually shown as a

1.nounB2
Definition

the god from Roman stories who causes people to fall in love, usually shown as a winged baby with a bow and arrows

Example

In the painting, Cupid hides behind a rose bush near Venus.

Cupid in a myth scene

The museum guide said Cupid uses arrows to make strangers fall in love.

Cupid + arrows in myths

Common collocations
  • Cupid's arrow
  • dress as Cupid
Synonyms
  • Eros

    the Greek name for a closely related love god, not the Roman one

  • cherub

    a winged child figure, but not specifically the love god with arrows

Grammar Patterns

Cupid + verb

dress as Cupid

Usage Note

Usually written with a capital C when it means the character from myth or art. Distinguish from sense 2, which means a decoration shaped like him.

Common Mistakes

The cake had Cupid on top.
The cake had a cupid on top.
use lower-case for a decorative figure, not the god himself.
The poem asks a cupid to help the lovers.
The poem asks Cupid to help the lovers.
use capital Cupid for the mythological character.

2. an image or ornament of a winged baby that stands for love, especially in cards,

2.nounC1
Definition

an image or ornament of a winged baby that stands for love, especially in cards, paintings, or decorations

Example

A small cupid hangs above the bakery door every February.

a cupid as decoration

Eve bought a silver cupid for the wedding table.

countable noun: a cupid

Common collocations
  • silver cupid
  • painted cupid
  • carved cupids

Grammar Patterns

a cupid

two cupids

Usage Note

Usually lower-case in running text and often used for decorations on cards, cakes, mirrors, or wedding items. Distinguish from sense 1, which names the god himself.

Common Mistakes

The poster shows Cupid near the cake stand.
The poster shows a cupid near the cake stand.
add the article and lower-case form for the decorative image.
We read about the adventures of a cupid.
We read about the adventures of Cupid.
use the capitalized form for the character in myth.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Cupid and Eros both name the love god from classical stories, but Cupid is the Roman name and Eros is the Greek one. Cherub and angel can also describe winged childlike figures, yet they do not automatically mean the love god with a bow. Figure is broader still, because it can mean any decorative model. Use Cupid when the mythological character matters: The poet asks Cupid to guide the lovers. Use lower-case cupid or figure when you mean an image on a card, cake, or frame: The mirror has two cupids at the top. This contrast helps you separate the god himself from the decorative symbol based on him.

Eros ↗cherub ↗angel ↗figure ↗

Etymology

LatinEnglish

Cupid comes from the Latin name Cupido, which was the name of the Roman love god and is linked to the idea of desire. English first used Cupid as the god's name and later used cupid for pictures or figures shaped like him.

First known use

14th century

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1