bibliophile

noun

bib·​lio·​phile ˈbi-blē-ə-ˌfī(-ə)l How to pronounce bibliophile (audio)
: a lover of books especially for qualities of format
also : a book collector
bibliophilic adjective
bibliophilism noun
bibliophily noun

Examples of bibliophile in a Sentence

for bibliophiles, no electronic device could possibly give the tactile pleasure of a beautifully bound book
Recent Examples on the Web There's something for every type of tech lover, including coffee enthusiasts, bibliophiles, adventurers, and more. Cierra Cowan, PCMAG, 5 Feb. 2024 Gamers can also take advantage of free video games and in-game loot with Twitch Prime, while bibliophiles love Prime Reading, which gets you access to thousands of free books, magazines, comics, audiobooks and more. Tim Chan, Variety, 3 Jan. 2024 And, like moons to the bigger stores’ planets, specialty bookshops found bibliophiles’ markets for volumes about art, fitness, science, ethnic interests, photography, erotica, comics, sports, mystery and horror, architecture, and the spiritual. Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 14 Nov. 2023 Beware the biography-laden diet, though, which is the bibliophile’s equivalent of skipping leg day. Ben McGrath, The New Yorker, 18 Dec. 2023 Located across from Eastern Market, in a three-floor rowhouse nearly overflowing with books, the store has been a destination for D.C. bibliophiles since 1991, when it was founded by Bill Kerr, a former Jesuit priest who sold classified advertisements for The Washington Post. Harrison Smith, Washington Post, 14 Nov. 2023 How a tiny town in southern France became a magnet for bibliophiles. Lorna Parkes, Travel + Leisure, 16 Oct. 2023 The Zamorano Club, a men’s group named for the man who brought the first printing press to California, welcomed bibliophiles, oenophiles, foodies, collectors, art patrons, conversationalists, and tastemakers. Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 14 Nov. 2023 This weekend is like Christmas for bibliophiles, thanks to the Library of Congress’s National Book Festival, which brings dozens of authors to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center for readings, panel discussions and book signings. Olivia McCormack, Washington Post, 10 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bibliophile.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

French, from bibli- + -phile

First Known Use

1820, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bibliophile was in 1820

Dictionary Entries Near bibliophile

Cite this Entry

“Bibliophile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bibliophile. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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