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

• fan
• sucker
• enthusiast
• fanatic

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

Why bother, when there’s a big and growing market out there for innovative ways to link up pets, pet lovers and new technology? —Russell Flannery, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025

Mammoth Lakes Highley has one more must-visit small town to recommend for outdoor lovers: Mammoth Lakes. —Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 5 Aug. 2025

Medea, of Greek myth, rejuvenated her lover’s father by replacing his blood with plant extracts and foam from a sacrificed werewolf—or, another source has it, by boiling him in a golden cauldron. —Tad Friend, New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2025

Gardner reprises her role as Nancy Gribble, Dale's wife, Joseph's mom, and John Redcorn's lover. —EW.com, 4 Aug. 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