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

Example Sentences

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

The right study space (and schedule) can be a lifesaver. —Leslie Goldman, Parents, 22 Jan. 2023

Even better: The more permanent form of identification, a microchip, cannot fall off or be removed and can be a lifesaver if your pet wanders farther from home. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 7 Jan. 2023

Heated gloves are a lifesaver when skiing or snowboarding in extremely cold temperatures. —Grace Wu, Good Housekeeping, 4 Jan. 2023

The piece about pacemakers was literally a lifesaver. —Dallas News, 30 Sep. 2022

And while that's a lifesaver for remote work, it's also left many of us craving something a bit more...analog? —Hadley Keller, House Beautiful, 9 Dec. 2022

This is a lifesaver for finding a place to grab a snack or a last-minute gift before catching your flight. —Jennifer Jolly, USA TODAY, 7 Dec. 2022

BYOMA Hydrating Serum is a lifesaver for anyone with dry skin. —Dallas News, 30 Nov. 2022

This fully wireless surround sound system is a lifesaver for cord-loathers like me. —Gear Team, WIRED, 28 Nov. 2022

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Word History

First Known Use

1887, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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