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Synonyms

lover

1 American  
[luhv-er] / ˈlʌv ər /

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 American  
[luhv-er] / ˈlʌv ər /

noun

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

lover British  
/ 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

    1. someone who loves a specified person or thing

      a lover of music

    2. ( in combination )

      a music-lover

      a cat-lover
"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

  • loverless adjective
  • loverlike adjective
  • nonlover noun

Etymology

Origin of lover

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

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.

The latest original film from Disney's Pixar tells the story of a young animal lover who uses technology to transfer her consciousness into a robotic beaver so she can better communicate and protect wildlife.

From Barron's • Mar. 22, 2026

At Mexico’s request, the CIA positioned an unarmed Predator drone over a Tapalpa vacation compound, where it observed a man exit a vehicle and warmly embrace Oseguera’s lover, according to people familiar with the operation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

Mosmo’s raw, drawled vocals can be heard in the romantic bélico “Modo B” and the agonizing “Terapia” that implores a past lover for their return.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 12, 2026

As a lover of dance music, the morning coffee rave was another way for people to connect and let loose, Collinge added.

From BBC • Mar. 5, 2026

Mr. Drew was not an animal lover and was shooing away a goat, who was nibbling on the side of his shirt.

From "Pony Problems: Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew, #3" by Carolyn Keene

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.