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

Balcony cabins can also be a lifesaver for families, according to Blackwelder. — Kristy Tolley, Travel + Leisure, 15 Aug. 2026

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) could be a lifesaver when the library is somehow louder than the cafeteria. — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 14 Aug. 2026

This arrangement was a lifesaver and genuine enriching experience for our children when our families were either too far away or too ill to help. — R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 8 July 2026

This leave-in treatment is a lifesaver for those whose strands might be a difficult mix of fine and frizzy, leaving behind the perfect amount of hydration and smoothing power without weighing down strands. — Kelsey Legg, ABC News, 7 July 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