noun
Lovelace
Lovelace (noun) means a charming but unprincipled seducer of women; a smooth-talking libertine. Example: “He had the reputation of a lovelace, flattering every woman at the party in turn.”
noun
1
A charming but unprincipled seducer of women; a smooth-talking libertine.
"He had the reputation of a lovelace, flattering every woman at the party in turn."
"She had heard enough about the man to know he was a lovelace who never meant what he said."
How to use Lovelace
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA slick, insincere charmer who seduces and discards women — named after a novel's villain.
When to use it
Old-fashioned and literary; rarely used in ordinary modern speech outside historical or literary contexts.
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Word forms
- Plural
- Lovelaces
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He had the reputation of a _____, flattering every woman at the party in turn.
Etymology
From Robert Lovelace, the charming but manipulative seducer in Samuel Richardson's 1748 novel "Clarissa" — his name became a byword for the type.
Rhymes for Lovelace
See all rhymes for Lovelace →Frequently asked questions
What does “Lovelace” mean?
The word “Lovelace” means a charming but unprincipled seducer of women; a smooth-talking libertine. In plain terms, a slick, insincere charmer who seduces and discards women — named after a novel's villain.
How do you use “Lovelace” in a sentence?
Here is “Lovelace” used in a sentence: “He had the reputation of a lovelace, flattering every woman at the party in turn.”
What part of speech is “Lovelace”?
“Lovelace” is a noun.
Where does the word “Lovelace” come from?
The word “Lovelace” dates back to around 1748. From Robert Lovelace, the charming but manipulative seducer in Samuel Richardson's 1748 novel "Clarissa" — his name became a byword for the type.
