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Showing results for bibliophile. Search instead for Bibliophiles.
Synonyms

bibliophile

American  
[bib-lee-uh-fahyl, -fil] / ˈbɪb li əˌfaɪl, -fɪl /
Also bibliophilist

noun

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


bibliophile British  
/ ˈbɪblɪəˌfaɪl, ˈbɪblɪəfɪl, ˌbɪblɪˈɒfəˌlɪzəm /

noun

  1. a person who collects or is fond of books

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of bibliophile

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

Explanation

You can call a book lover a bibliophile. If you find it impossible to leave a book store without buying at least one book, you might be a bibliophile. A bibliophile usually has a huge collection of books and loves nothing more than browsing in a used book shop or a library. A love of books or a deep knowledge about them makes a person a bibliophile. The earliest use of the word bibliophile was in 1820s France, and it came from the Greek prefix biblio, or "book," and the word philos, or "friend." If you consider books to be your true friends, you are definitely a bibliophile.

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Vocabulary lists containing bibliophile

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Bibliophiles will love the speak-easy vibes at Cease and Desist Book Club.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 1, 2024

Bibliophiles without funds have hope thanks to one man - Francisco Suarez, 60, who runs a small shop in central Caracas.

From Reuters • Aug. 26, 2023

Bibliophiles will never be caught short in Edinburgh.

From New York Times • Dec. 21, 2022

Best for: Bibliophiles looking for a diverse reading list and gear that advertises that passion.

From Washington Post • May 21, 2018

We have reached the era of private book-fanciers: of Nodier, who had three libraries in his time, but never a Virgil; and of Pixerecourt, the dramatist, who founded the Societe des Bibliophiles Francais.

From Books and Bookmen by Lang, Andrew

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