lover

23 synonyms and 1 antonym for lover, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A person in a romantic or sexual relationship with someone.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

partner baby love

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

enthusiast beloved crush darling flame follower sweetheart

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

suitor devotee admirer adorer courter enamorado leman loteby love interest paramour sparker truelove wooer

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A person in a romantic or sexual relationship with someone.

“In the old play, the two lovers meet secretly by the river.”

partner suitor enthusiast devotee admirer adorer baby beloved courter crush darling enamorado flame follower leman loteby love love interest paramour sparker sweetheart truelove wooer

2. noun

Someone who has a strong enthusiasm for a particular thing.

“My uncle is a great lover of jazz and owns hundreds of records.”

Opposites

hater

How to use lover

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

a lover of music take a lover former lovers

Etymology

Comes from Middle English lovere, luffer, lufere, made up of love + -er.

Full origin of lover →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a "lover" and a "partner"?

A "lover" emphasizes the romantic or physical side of a relationship, while "partner" is a broader, more neutral term for the person someone shares a committed relationship with. "Partner" is often preferred in everyday and formal use because it does not foreground the physical side.

What is the difference between "lover" and "boyfriend" or "girlfriend"?

"Boyfriend" and "girlfriend" describe a defined dating relationship, while "lover" is less about status and more about romantic or physical intimacy. "Lover" can sound more intense or old-fashioned and is sometimes used for a secret or extramarital relationship.

Is "lover" a formal or informal word?

In its romantic sense "lover" is fairly informal and emotionally charged, so in formal writing "partner" or "companion" is often used instead. The enthusiast sense, as in "book lover," is neutral and widely acceptable in any register.

People also searched

love baby partner beloved crush darling flame sweetheart follower enthusiast admirer adorer

Nearby words

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