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

Still, very impressive and lifesaver to the spring box office. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 17 May 2026

So, to minimize the likelihood of worrying about how to stay connected, a portable phone charger is a lifesaver. —Essence, 12 May 2026

Amazon Kindle For readers who don’t want to lug around a 300-page book, a Kindle is a lifesaver. —Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 12 May 2026

Tenant advocates counter that eviction bans were a lifesaver. —Michael Casey, Fortune, 3 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1887, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for lifesaver

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

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