lover
/'lʌvə/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A person in a romantic or sexual relationship: A "lover" is a person with whom one shares a romantic or intimate relationship, often but not necessarily implying a sexual connection. This person is a significant other who is not a spouse.
- An ardent enthusiast or devotee: A "lover" is someone who has a deep passion, strong liking, or great enthusiasm for a particular thing, activity, or subject.
- A person who loves or is loved: In a broad sense, a "lover" can refer to someone who feels love for another person or is the recipient of another's love.
Examples of Usage
- Noun (Romantic partner):
- She met her lover while traveling in Italy.
- They were secret lovers for many years before getting married.
- Noun (Enthusiast):
- He is a great lover of classical music and attends every concert.
- As a lover of fine wine, she enjoys visiting vineyards.
- Noun (One who loves/is loved):
- He was a gentle and kind lover to his family. (This usage is less common and can sound formal or poetic.)
Advanced Usage
- "A lover of life": Someone who enthusiastically enjoys and appreciates life and its experiences.
- Her optimistic attitude shows she is a true lover of life.
- "Star-crossed lovers": A literary term for lovers whose relationship is doomed to fail, often due to external forces like fate or family opposition.
- Romeo and Juliet are the most famous star-crossed lovers in literature.
Variants and Related Words
- Love (n/v): The profound feeling or the action of having deep affection.
- Loveless (adj): Lacking love or affection.
- Loving (adj): Feeling or showing love and affection.
- Love affair (n): A romantic or sexual relationship, especially a secret or intense one.
Synonyms
- Paramour: A lover, especially one in an illicit relationship. (More formal/literary)
- Beau: A boyfriend or male admirer. (Somewhat old-fashioned)
- Devotee: A person who is very interested in and enthusiastic about someone or something. (For the enthusiast meaning)
- Aficionado: A person who is very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about an activity or subject. (For the enthusiast meaning)
Related Phrases
- Make love (to someone): To engage in sexual activity with someone.
- The couple made love for the first time on their honeymoon.
- Love letter: A letter expressing romantic love.
- He wrote her a beautiful love letter.
Related Idioms
- Love is blind: The saying that people in love do not see the faults of the person they love.
- She thinks he's perfect, but love is blind.
- For the love of...: Used to express exasperation or to indicate that something is done for the sake of a great interest in something.
- For the love of art, please stop talking during the performance!
Noun
- a significant other to whom you are not related by marriage
- an ardent follower and admirer
- a person who loves someone or is loved by someone