I hear the word "lovely" a lot in British English TV shows, movies and dramas etc. British people tend to use it a lot. I have been searching for its use in American English but sadly, I found nothing. Various sources on the internet associate it only with British English. I have an American friend who told me that they did not use it a lot.
I don't think I have heard it in American TV shows or programs. If I have, I can't remember.
According to Dailymail article, "lovely" is very British.
I am now wondering whether it is common in the USA. If not, in what contexts do Americans use it?
Best Answer
This ngram shows use of the word in British English:
This ngram shows use of the word in American English:
As you can see, it is used in both, but more so in British English.
American English speakers tend to use the word to mean that something is beautiful, or nice, particularly another person (for example "you look lovely" or "she is lovely"). British English speakers do the same but have a wider use of the term which includes using it in place of "beautiful" and extends to experiences in place of terms like "wonderful" and "delicious" (for example "we had a lovely time" or "that's a lovely cup of tea"). British speakers also use it sarcastically (for example "well that's just lovely!").