Lover

¹ American  

[luhv-er] / ˈlʌv ər /

noun

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

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lover ² 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.

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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

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

      a lover of music

   2. ( in combination )

      a music-lover

      a cat-lover

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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

The place is frequented by students, their parents, teachers and book lovers.

From BBC

And to select theaters this weekend comes “Pillion,” starring Mr. Skarsgård as another fantasy lover of sorts, though in a very different kind of relationship.

From The Wall Street Journal

He said he hoped, however, that this case could teach pet lovers to ask more questions when it comes to medical procedures involving their furry loved ones.

From Los Angeles Times

"I'd done a lot of more serious plays at uni but I was always a lover of comedy and decided to give it a crack after I left," she recalled.

From BBC

Curtis noted that it “took a long time” before they went from friends to lovers.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

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