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

On Airbnb, stays of 28 or more nights automatically earn a monthly-stay discount; it’s put in place to encourage guests to stay longer and was a total lifesaver on our trip. — Sara Sturek, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Sep. 2026

Because what was already a steal when the teams first agreed to the trade in June now looks like an absolute lifesaver. — Mirjam Swanson, Los Angeles Times, 14 Sep. 2026

In this moment, the human’s biological latency is a liability; the machine’s autonomous agency is the lifesaver. — Joe McKendrick, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026

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