<p>Research involving individuals with intellectual disabilities shows that emotional relationships, sex life, marriage, and family are important aspects of their lives. For them, love is a fundamental basis of partnership, which they associate with emotional well-being, feelings and tangible actions, intimate relationships between two people, and mutual support and affection. This qualitative research investigates the understanding of love by adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) in intimate relationships. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 33 adults (19 women, 14 men) with ID of which 4 were married, and 26 in informal intimate relationship. Three perceptions of love were identified in the analysis: (1) love understood as internal feelings, (2) love defined as external behaviors, (3) necessary condition to be in relationship. The study concludes that love and being in a relationship are important in the lives of adults with ID, and that love is generally associated with being exclusive, a high level of intimacy and commitment, and a desire to do things together.</p>