Difference Between Love and Lust

Difference Between Love and Lust
by English World

Love and Lust are two words in the English language that are used often as words that show same connotation, but strictly speaking there is a notable difference between love and lust when it comes to their usage. How different their usage might be as words, love and lust have similar features as words. Both love and lust are used as nouns as well as verbs. Also, both love and lust originate from Old English. Love has more to do with spiritual goals while lust has more to do with physical or sexual goals. Love goes with affection while lust goes with the desire. Let us have a better look into these two words, love and lust.

What does Love mean?

Love is more universal in the sense. Love suggests affection and compassion. There are expressions such as,

‘God is love,’ ‘Love all’ and ‘Love of labor.’

Each of these expressions differs slightly in their sense. In the first expression ‘God is love’, God is described as the very embodiment of love. In other words, He is described as love personified. In the second expression ‘Love all’, the word love is used in the sense of universality. In the third expression ‘Love of labor’, the word love is used in the sense of ‘attachment’. Hence, it is clearly understood that love can be used in different connotations. Love pertains to unworldly pleasures. It suggests universal bliss. The word love suggests the supreme bliss.

Apart from these, as a word, love has many uses in different phrases. For example,

There is no (or little or not much) love lost between (“there is mutual dislike between (the people mentioned)”)

There is no love lost between Irwin and me.

What does Lust mean?

Unlike love, lust is physical in the sense. Moreover, lust suggests sensuality. On the other hand, the word ‘lust’ can be used in only one main connotation. It has a sense of sensuality attached to it. That is why we hear expressions such as ‘lust for women’ and ‘lusty looks’. In the first expression, the word lust is used in the sense of ‘sex appeal’ or ‘physical appeal’. In the second expression, the word lust is used in the sense of ‘passion’. Lusty looks mean passionate looks. The word lust is also used in the secondary sense sometimes in connection with words such as money and land. We often hear expressions such as ‘lust for money’ and ‘lust for land’. Hence, the word lust pertains to material pleasures.

What is the difference between Love and Lust?

• Love is more universal in the sense whereas lust is physical in the sense.
• Love suggests affection and compassion whereas lust suggests sensuality.
• Love can be used in different connotations. Lust can only be used for one main connotation.
• Love pertains to unworldly pleasures while lust pertains to material pleasures .

These are some of the main differences between the two words love and lust. They should be used carefully in writing.