Dutch word lief comes from Proto-Indo-European *lew-, and later Proto-Germanic *leubaz (Dear, beloved.)
| Dictionary entry | Language | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| *lew- | Proto-Indo-European (ine-pro) | to cut, remove, prune, separate, to wash, to cut, to cut, separate, dissolve, to cut away, remove, prune |
| *leubh- | Proto-Indo-European (ine-pro) | to love, love |
| *leubaz | Proto-Germanic (gem-pro) | Dear, beloved. |
| *liof | Old Dutch (odt) | |
| liof | Old Dutch (odt) | |
| lief | Middle Dutch (dum) | Loved, dear. Sweet, nice. |
| lief | Dutch (nld) | One's beloved in a romantic relationship, i.e. a boyfriend or girlfriend Beloved. Nice, sweet. |