bibliophile

[ bib-lee-uh-fahyl, -fil ]

noun

1. a person who loves or collects books, especially as examples of fine or unusual printing, binding, or the like.

bibliophile

/ ˈbɪblɪəˌfaɪl; ˈbɪblɪəfɪl; ˌbɪblɪˈɒfəˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. a person who collects or is fond of books

Derived Forms

• bibliophilism, noun
• ˌbibliˌophiˈlistic, adjective

Other Words From

• bibli·ophi·lism bibli·ophi·ly noun
• bibli·ophi·listic bib·li·o·phil·ic [bib-lee-oh-, fil, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of bibliophile¹

First recorded in 1815–25; biblio- + -phile

Example Sentences

Best known for his diaries, the tailor's son was also a bibliophile who bequeathed his large library to the University of Cambridge's Magdalene College.

From BBC

Schomburg was the most famous of the Black bibliophiles who, starting in the late 19th century, had amassed impressive “parlor libraries” in their homes.

From New York Times

Last night, crowds of art patrons and well-heeled bibliophiles gathered in that grand library to attend the Morgan’s centennial celebration.

From New York Times

He was a Christian Zionist and bibliophile, who by all accounts knew the land of Israel better than many of the Jews who lived there.

From Salon

After a few years of joining the Kindle cult, I am back to my old bibliophile ways.

From Los Angeles Times