ほの字じほのじMeanings1expression, nounthe L-word; love; being in loveA playful, euphemistic way to refer to love or being in love, derived from the first kana of 惚れる (horeru, 'to fall in love'). Often used in the phrase ほの字だ or ほの字になる to mean 'to be in love'.See also: 惚れる彼かれは彼かの女じょにほの字じだ。He's in love with her.