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

From artisan bakeries and farmers markets to homemade loaves bubbling on kitchen counters, sourdough has developed a devoted following among food lovers. — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 28 June 2026

Toni and Shakira appeared to be in trouble after one of the show’s most meta humiliation rituals, in which the group is treated to a showing of clips of themselves having private conversations about their castmates and lovers. — Lillian Fishman, New Yorker, 27 June 2026

Fortune’s Every Summer After follows the second chance romance of Percy and Sam, who go from friends to lovers over several summers spent in Barry’s Bay beside the lake. — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 27 June 2026

Languedoc doesn't ask wine lovers to memorize dozens of grape varieties or appellations before opening a bottle. — Emily Cappiello, Forbes.com, 27 June 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