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

Almost four years of prescribing her lover psychiatric drugs will cost a Miami psychiatrist $10,000, part of her punishment from the Florida Board of Medicine. —David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 2 Jan. 2026

Sewanee Sewanee, Tennessee, is a nature-lover’s paradise. —Korrin Bishop, Southern Living, 1 Jan. 2026

This year's break-in at the Louvre shocked art lovers around the world when over $100 million worth of jewelry went missing in mid-October. —Emma Banks, InStyle, 31 Dec. 2025

All of these expressions are distinct and thrilling to introduce to an orange-wine-lover’s palate. —Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 31 Dec. 2025

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