lover

¹

[luhv-er]

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

[luhv-er]

noun

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

lover

/ 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

3. 1. someone who loves a specified person or thing

      a lover of music

   2. ( in combination )

      a music-lover

      a cat-lover

Other Word Forms

• loverless adjective
• loverlike adjective
• nonlover noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of lover¹

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

Example Sentences

A great gift for the coffee lover in your life that’s ready to level up their morning pick-me-up.

Read more on Salon

In fact, her Jewish lover was lying in the base of a heavy mahogany sofa bed that was locked from the inside; he had codeine to suppress his persistent cough.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

They will portray the star-crossed lovers on stage at the Harold Pinter Theatre in London from March 2026, as first reported by US outlet Deadline.

Read more on BBC

Meanwhile, Daedone, who married and divorced, “burned through friends, lovers and partners at an alarming rate,” according to a mentor.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"This is a source of great joy for many, many music lovers around the world," he said.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• admirer 
• boyfriend 
• companion 
• girlfriend 
• suitor 
• sweetheart