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

I’m a lover of all kinds of raw fish, but the precision and freshness here stood out in every bite.

From Salon

As an ardent lover of liège waffles, I was elated — no, ecstatic — when TJ’s first dropped its Brioche Style Liège Waffles.

From Salon

As well as voting for their favourite bird, nature lovers have also been able to take part this year in a version of the popular web-based word game Wordle - called, of course, Birdle.

From BBC

Glastonbury Festival has confirmed when music lovers will next be able to return to Somerset and experience one of the world's biggest outdoor festivals.

From BBC

“What ensues is beyond what either of them imagined: Murder! Possession! A wild and radical cultural movement! And outlaw lovers in a wild and combustible romance!” according to the film’s official synopsis.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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