lover

¹

[ luhv-er ]

noun

1. a person who is in love with another.
2. a person who has a sexual or romantic relationship with another.
3. a person with whom one conducts an extramarital sexual affair.
4. a person who has a strong enjoyment or liking for something, as specified:

   a lover of music.

   Synonyms: fan, enthusiast, devotee

5. a person who loves, especially a person who has or shows a warm and general affectionate regard for others:

   a lover of humankind.

Lover

²

[ luhv-er ]

noun

1. Samuel, 1797–1868, Irish novelist, painter, and songwriter.

lover

/ ˈlʌvə /

noun

1. a person, now esp a man, who has an extramarital or premarital sexual relationship with another person
2. often plural either of the two people involved in a love affair
3. 1. someone who loves a specified person or thing

      a lover of music

   2. ( in combination )

      a music-lover

      a cat-lover

Other Words From

• lover·less adjective
• lover·like adjective
• non·lover noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of lover¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English; love + -er ¹

Example Sentences

We learn about da Vinci’s early life, family, education and lovers, and the doc does an admirable job of explaining not just excellence but innovation.

From New York Times

Restricting the ninth sign will only push them further away and confirm that their never-ending journey is, in fact, the only lover that will never betray them.

From Los Angeles Times

That influence has come directly from her grandmother, who has "always been a lover of pearls and bangles".

From BBC

Yet one of his best-regarded productions was the Kinks’ 1967 “Waterloo Sunset,” a gently psychedelic pop song about a guy watching two lovers cross a bridge over the River Thames.

From Los Angeles Times

The 48-year-old bucket-hat lover spent eight years as a prop at Toulouse, winning two European Cups, before coaching the scrum at the Cheetahs and the Bulls.

From BBC

Related Words

• admirer
• boyfriend
• companion
• girlfriend
• suitor
• sweetheart