lover

noun

lov·​er ˈlə-vər 

1

a

: a person in love

b

lovers plural : two persons in love with each other

2

: an affectionate or benevolent friend

3

: devotee

a lover of mystery novels

a lover of nature

4

a

: paramour

Her husband found a love letter from her lover.

b

: a person with whom one has sexual relations

He was her first lover.

Synonyms of lover

• fan
• sucker
• enthusiast
• fanatic
• admirer

Examples of lover in a Sentence

His wife accused him of having a secret lover.

She left her husband and ran away with her lover.

Recent Examples on the Web

Jimin, whose velvety voice and nearly feline lover-boy magnetism stands out even in a group filled with virtuosic singers and strong presences, shocked himself with his own solo success. —Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 13 Apr. 2026

All her infinite selves, all their pets’ pets and lovers’ lovers. —Mariella Rudi, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026

Inspired by Dungo’s own, real-life love story, In Waves is set in California and follows a skateboarder and a surfer, friends from school who later become lovers and find their relationship tested by illness. —Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 13 Apr. 2026

One raunchy session from 1975 with a lover named Mike Karton begins with Peter worshipping Karton’s jockstrap in his Second Avenue loft. —Andrew Durbin, Vulture, 13 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Phrases Containing lover

• lover boy
• secret lover
• true lover's knot

Rhymes for lover

• cover
• hover
• plover
• discover
• hardcover
• recover
• thereover
• uncover
• rediscover
• undercover

Kids Definition

lover

noun

lov·​er ˈləv-ər 

1

a

: a person in love

b

plural : two persons in love with each other

2

: devotee

a lover of music

3

a

: paramour

b

: a person with whom one has sexual relations

Biographical Definition

Lover

biographical name

Lov·​er ˈlə-vər 

Samuel 1797–1868 Irish novelist