lover

noun

lov·​er ˈlə-vər How to pronounce lover (audio)
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.

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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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 See all Example Sentences for lover 

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of lover was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near lover

Cite this Entry

“Lover.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lover. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

lover

noun
lov·​er ˈləv-ər How to pronounce lover (audio)
1
a
: a person in love
b
plural : two persons in love with each other
2
: devotee
a lover of music
3
a
b
: a person with whom one has sexual relations

Biographical Definition

Lover

biographical name

Lov·​er ˈlə-vər How to pronounce Lover (audio)
Samuel 1797–1868 Irish novelist

More from Merriam-Webster on lover

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