lover

noun

lov·​er ˈlə-vər 

1

a

: a person in love

b

lovers plural : two persons in love with each other

2

: an affectionate or benevolent friend

3

: devotee

a lover of mystery novels

a lover of nature

4

a

: paramour

Her husband found a love letter from her lover.

b

: a person with whom one has sexual relations

He was her first lover.

Synonyms

• addict
• aficionado
• afficionado
• buff
• bug
• devotee
• enthusiast
• fan
• fanatic
• fancier
• fiend
• fool
• freak
• habitué
• habitue
• head
• hound
• junkie
• junky
• maniac
• maven
• mavin
• nut
• sucker

Examples of lover in a Sentence

His wife accused him of having a secret lover.

She left her husband and ran away with her lover.

Recent Examples on the Web

This immersive cooking school is an ideal gift for food lovers who want to increase their culinary skills and gain a deeper appreciation for the art of cooking. —Sandra MacGregor, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

Baked, roasted, or sauteed, butternut squash is a favorite among many a squash lover. —Stacey Lastoe, Southern Living, 4 Nov. 2024

The opera follows the doomed lovers and their coterie of artist friends chasing happiness against impossible odds. —Anne Gelhaus, The Mercury News, 4 Nov. 2024

Most wine lovers know that the word Sauvignon comes from the French word sauvage and the word blanc simply means white, but most people don’t know the reason is because when untrained vines of the variety have a distinctly unkempt appearance. —Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 4 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing lover

• lover boy
• secret lover
• true lover's knot

Kids Definition

lover

noun

lov·​er ˈləv-ər 

1

a

: a person in love

b

plural : two persons in love with each other

2

: devotee

a lover of music

3

a

: paramour

b

: a person with whom one has sexual relations

Biographical Definition

Lover

biographical name

Lov·​er ˈlə-vər 

Samuel 1797–1868 Irish novelist