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

That's just the type of news Scotch lovers need in these uncertain times. —Hudson Lindenberger, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025

And cinemas aren’t just offering that kind of enhanced blockbuster experience to bring in crowds beyond die-hard movie lovers. —William Earl, Variety, 27 Mar. 2025

Huge news for cottagecore lovers, vintage enthusiasts, and home cooks alike: The beloved Lenox Spice Village is finally back. —Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Mar. 2025

But through it all, he’s also been a lover of golf and has worked with Malbon Golf, Greyson and FootJoy. —Jean E. Palmieri, Footwear News, 27 Mar. 2025

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

Rhymes for lover

• cover
• hover
• plover
• discover
• hardcover
• recover
• thereover
• uncover
• rediscover
• undercover

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