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.”
How to use Lovelace
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA slick, insincere charmer who seduces and discards women — named after a novel's villain.
Old-fashioned and literary; rarely used in ordinary modern speech outside historical or literary contexts.
Word forms
Lovelaces plural, Lovelaces plural
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.