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

Like a rebellious band member or an unruly lover, Takahiro Miyashita has a talent for breaking up and making up. —Ashley Ogawa Clarke, Vogue, 9 Mar. 2026

The voices captured on that wall belong not to emperors or senators, but to lovers, laborers, sports fans, and artists who left their marks in a corridor between two theaters, never imagining those marks would still be read 2,000 years later. —Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 9 Mar. 2026

Clueless continues to be a beloved reference point for fashion lovers thanks to costume designer Mony May’s cheerful mix of colorful, teen-friendly designer fashions. —Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 9 Mar. 2026

But her full identity as an artist—songwriter, producer, businesswoman—seems to elude even the most devoted lovers of hip hop. —Literary Hub, 9 Mar. 2026

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