lifesaver

noun

life·​sav·​er ˈlīf-ˌsā-vər 

1

: one trained to save lives of drowning persons

2

: one that is at once timely and effective in time of distress or need

Examples of lifesaver in a Sentence

a surgical procedure that has been a lifesaver for many people

This multipurpose tool can be a real lifesaver when something needs fixing.

Frozen dinners can be lifesavers for busy parents.

Thanks so much for offering to help. You're a real lifesaver!

Recent Examples on the Web

In my case, I was blessed by being raised by my mother more than my father, and that was a lifesaver. —Matt Donnelly, Variety, 10 June 2025

He’s been a lifesaver in the Cubs’ bullpen since being signed last month, with 9 1/3 scoreless innings over 10 outings. —Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 19 May 2025

Service dogs can be four-legged lifesavers, alerting to dangerous allergens, assisting with travel and making people with a wide range of disabilities safer. —Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2025

Some are real lifesavers; others may put your reputation at risk. —Rowan Briggs, The Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1887, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for lifesaver

• ritonavir
• aver
• braver
• craver
• favor
• favour
• flavor
• flavour
• graver
• paver
• quaver
• raver

Kids Definition

lifesaver

noun

life·​sav·​er ˈlīf-ˌsā-vər 

1

: a person trained to save the lives of drowning persons

2

: something that relieves distress when most needed