любовник, любитель, возлюбленный, поклонник, друг, приверженец, доброжелатель
существительное ↓
- любитель
lover of pictures [horses, music] — любитель картин [лошадей, музыки]
- приверженец
lovers of peace — сторонники мира
lovers of liberty — свободолюбивые люди /народы/
lover of good food — гурман
he is an animal lover — он обожает животных
- любовник; редк. любовница
- возлюбленный; редк. возлюбленная
- pl. влюблённые, влюблённая парочка
happy lovers — счастливая парочка
they became lovers — они сошлись /сблизились, вступили в связь/
- редк. друг, доброжелатель
your true lover — ваш верный друг (в конце письма)
a lovers’ quarrel — ≅ милые бранятся, только тешатся
Мои примеры
Словосочетания
an affectionate lover of venerable antiquity — восторженный любитель почтенной старины
blind to a lover’s faults — слеп к недостаткам любимой
all the world loves a lover — влюблённого любит весь мир
impetuous lover — пылкий любовник
to take a lover — завести любовника
to jilt a lover — бросить любовника
lover of poetry — любитель поэзии
lover of the antique — любитель античности
live-in lover — сожитель
lover of pictures — любитель картин
lover boy — красавец-мужчина; донжуан; бабник
lover-boy — хвастающийся своими сексуальными «подвигами»; красавец-мужчина; волокита
Примеры с переводом
He was a keen music lover.
Он был страстным любителем музыки.
Nicola and I were lovers.
Никола и я были любовниками.
The woman gave up her lover to save her marriage.
Женщина порвала с любовником ради сохранения брака.
He killed his wife’s lover.
Он убил любовника своей жены.
Her lover had been untrue.
Её возлюбленный был ей неверен.
Jilt a lover or a bride
Бросай любовника или жениха
She guessed the identity of his lover.
Она догадалась, кто его любовница.
ещё 15 примеров свернуть
Возможные однокоренные слова
lovable — привлекательный, милый
loving — любящий, любвеобильный, нежный, преданный
loved — любимый
loverly — любовный, свойственный влюбленным, любовно
Формы слова
noun
ед. ч.(singular): lover
мн. ч.(plural): lovers
lover — перевод на русский
/ˈlʌvə/
«That’s right… make sure your lover is safe, and then cast me off.»
Верно — убедишься, что твой любовник в безопасности, и бросишь меня.
Because he’s my lover.
Потому, что он мой любовник.
I am a great teacher, not a great lover.
Я великий учитель, а не великий любовник.
That’s right, Armand, no one could ever accuse you of being a great lover.
Да, Арман, никто не обвинит вас, что вы великий любовник.
Here’s what you’ll hear each Latin lover say
Вот то, что вы услышите каждый латинский любовник говорит.
Показать ещё примеры для «любовник»…
And to think all Rome thinks you are my lover.
— Подумать только! И весь Рим готов поспорить, что ты моя любовница!
You enter the girl’s house, she’s your lover, not your wife.
Так вот, Лоди. Вы входите в дом к девушке, которая теперь ваша любовница, а не жена.
And where’s my lover?
— А где моя любовница?
You’re mother, sister, lover, friend, angel, devil, earth, home.
Ты мадонна, подруга, любовница, ангел. Ты тепло домашнего очага.
She the Chiefs lover.
Он любовница старосты.
Показать ещё примеры для «любовница»…
Decorating homes for new lovers?
Украшением домов для влюбленных?
I live at 13 Lovers’ Lane.
Я живу в переулке Влюбленных, дом 13.
Number 13, Lovers’ Lane.
Переулок Влюбленных, 13.
I know a psychic on Lovers’ Lane… who can unlock this book’s secret.
В переулке Влюбленных живет один мой знакомый медиум… который может раскрыть секрет этой книги.
He besieged and took the castle… and killed every soul except the two lovers.
Он взял замок осадой и не оставил в живых никого, кроме двоих влюбленных.
Показать ещё примеры для «влюблённых»…
And if one of these women were to fall in love… and if her lover were to kiss her, take her into his embrace… she would be driven by her own evil to kill him.
И если одна из таких женщин влюбится и возлюбленный поцелует её или заключит в объятия её собственное зло заставит убить его.
Come, my lover, let us go to the countryside, let us spend the night in the villages.
«Пойдём, возлюбленный мои, выйдем в попе, проведём ночь в (епениях. »
Don’t tell me again that your first lover also wanted to be a journalist.
Только не говори мне, что твой первый возлюбленный тоже хотел стать журналистом.
My dead lover is an enemy of France.
Мой мертвый возлюбленный — враг Франции.
— You’re a lover.
— Вы возлюбленный.
Показать ещё примеры для «возлюбленный»…
Her lover’s going away.
Её любимый уезжает.
-Her lover’s going away.
-Её любимый уезжает.
She’s still sleeping in the secret tomb her lover gave her.
Нет. Она всё ещё спит в тайной гробнице, которую её любимый построил для неё.
Bye, bye, lover.
Пока, пока, любимый.
Lover, you won’t be too long, will you?
Любимый, ты ведь не будешь слишком долго, да?
Показать ещё примеры для «любимый»…
Do you think she will forget her lover in a month?
Думаете, она забудет про свою любовь через месяц?
All worlds are moved by lovers.
Все миры движет любовь.
A new lover?
Ты встретила новую любовь?
She loosened the scarfs that symbolised her lover holds them close to her heart
Она сняла с окна белый шарф, символизировавший ее любовь. И, прижав его прямо к сердцу, …бросилась вниз.
So it has sunk. And there on board Was Alice’s lover, Edith’s hopeless love.
утонул! безнадежная любовь Эдит.
Показать ещё примеры для «любовь»…
Maybe the dog killer was also a dog lover.
Может быть, убийца собаки ещё и любитель собак.
A self-confessed dog lover.
Сознавшийся любитель собак.
Didn’t realize Hagen was a music lover.
Я и не знал, что Хаген — любитель музыки.
Lover and collector of beautiful things.
Любитель и коллекционер прекрасных вещиц.
— The concerto lover.
— Любитель классических концертов.
Показать ещё примеры для «любитель»…
I’m with you, lover.
Я твоя, любовничек.
Hey, over here, lover.
Эй, сюда, любовничек.
Fix me another drink, lover.
Налей мне еще выпить, любовничек.
Our lover boy!
Любовничек!
You too, lover.
Ты тоже, любовничек.
Показать ещё примеры для «любовничек»…
— We had a little lover’s quarrel.
— У нас маленькая любовная ссора.
A little tiff. a lover’s spat.
Маленькая размолвка, любовная перебранка.
Then Southern Star, Vain Effort, Stanley Gabe, Third Row and Lover’s Dilemma.
Далее Южная Звезда, Тщетное Усилие, Стэнли Гэйб и Любовная Дилемма.
Okay, there was a lover’s quarrel… but she shivs him in front of three witnesses?
Хорошо, была любовная ссора… но чтобы она пырнула его на глазах у троих свидетелей?
Seven years ago, Natima and I had a lover’s quarrel and…
Семь лет назад у Натимы со мной была любовная ссора, и…
Показать ещё примеры для «любовная»…
— Hello, lover.
Привет, красавчик.
You look real nice, lover boy.
Ты красавчик, малыш.
Well, well, well. Here’s Lover boy.
Так-так-так, красавчик.
Okay, what’ll it be, lover boy?
Ќу ладно, что ты будешь, красавчик?
Hi, lover boy.
ѕривет, красавчик.
Показать ещё примеры для «красавчик»…
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Предложения
Eve silenced her lover to protect her marketable image.
Ив умалчивает, что он ее любовник, чтобы сохранить свой имидж.
Someone told me your wife has a lover.
А мне говорили, будто у твоей жены есть любовник.
Every dog lover knows the feeling.
Каждый любитель собак знает, как пес выражает свои чувства.
Pablo Picasso was also a dog lover.
Пабло Пикассо, к слову, был большим любителем собак.
He had committed suicide after his male lover rejected him.
Она покончила жизнь самоубийством, после того как ей отказал ее возлюбленный.
A lover without indiscretion is no lover at all.
They stole my lover and all the colors of happiness.
Они украли моего любовника, а вместе с ним все краски счастья.
You will be a considerate and thoughtful lover.
Я ожидаю, что ты будешь деликатным и чутким любовником…
I drink because I’m a bad lover.
Да я и пью, потому что из меня любовник никудышный.
You know I have a lover.
Вам известно, что у меня есть любовник.
Occasionally look out of the window thinking of your lover.
Время от времени ты смотришь в окно и думаешь о своём любовнике…
Now you know I can never be your lover.
Теперь вы понимаете, что я не смогу стать вашим любовником.
Rachid killed himself simply because his wife had a lover.
Рашид покончил с собой просто потому, что у его жены был любовник.
I bet you got a lover crazy.
Держу пари, что ты сводишь своего любовника с ума.
I insist you to be my lover.
Я настаиваю на том, чтобы вы были моим любовником.
Maybe she would keep him as her lover.
Скорее всего, она пытается удержать его в качестве своего любовника.
She also meets an artist who becomes her lover.
Там она знакомиться с молодым художником, который становиться ее любовником.
He will be wonderful, passionate lover if you adore him.
Любовь будет лояльным и страстным любовником, если он считает, что его любят.
She was waiting for her 60-year-old lover.
Как оказалось, женщина ждала своего возлюбленного 60 лет.
Problem is, she already has a lover.
Предложения, которые содержат lover
Результатов: 11044. Точных совпадений: 11044. Затраченное время: 110 мс
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Корпоративные решения
Спряжение
Синонимы
Корректор
Справка и о нас
Индекс слова: 1-300, 301-600, 601-900
Индекс выражения: 1-400, 401-800, 801-1200
Индекс фразы: 1-400, 401-800, 801-1200
- lover
- ˈlʌvə сущ.
1) а) любовник, любовница to take a lover ≈ завести любовника to jilt a lover ≈ бросить любовника impetuous lover ≈ пылкий любовник Syn : paramour б) возлюбленный;
мн. влюбленные в) влюбленная пара
2) а) любитель (чего-л.) ;
поклонник б) приверженец, сторонник Syn : adherent, follower, devotee
3) уст. доброжелатель, друг
любитель — * of pictures любитель картин приверженец — *s of peace сторонники мира — *s of liberty свободолюбивые люди /народы/ — * of good food гурман — he is an animal * он обожает животных любовник;
(редкое) любовница возлюбленный;
(редкое) возлюбленная pl влюбленные, влюбленная парочка — happy *s счастливая парочка — they became *s они сошлись /сблизились, вступили в связь/ (редкое) друг, доброжелатель — your true * ваш верный друг (в конце письма) > a *s’ quarrel милые бранятся, только тешатся
lover уст. друг, доброжелатель ~ любитель (чего-л.) ;
поклонник ~ любовник;
возлюбленный;
pl влюбленные ~ приверженец;
lovers of peace сторонники мира
~ приверженец;
lovers of peace сторонники мира
Большой англо-русский и русско-английский словарь.
2001.
Полезное
Смотреть что такое «lover» в других словарях:
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lover — [ lɔve ] v. tr. <conjug. : 1> • 1678; bas all. lofen « tourner », même famille que lof 1 ♦ Mar. Ramasser en rond (un câble, un cordage). On love un cordage de gauche à droite. 2 ♦ Cour. SE LOVER v. pron. (1722) S enrouler sur soi même. Les… … Encyclopédie Universelle
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Lover — may refer to: * sexual partner * Lover (Sophie Ellis Bextor song) * Lover (novel) is a novel by Bertha Harris. * Lover, Wiltshire is a village in Wiltshire (England) between Fordingbridge and Whiteparish. * Lover (clothing) is an Australian… … Wikipedia
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Lover — Lov er (l[u^]v [ e]r), n. 1. One who loves; one who is in love; usually limited, in the singular, to a person of the male sex. Gower. [1913 Webster] Love is blind, and lovers can not see The pretty follies that themselves commit. Shak. [1913… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
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lover — early 13c., agent noun from LOVE (Cf. love) (v.). O.E. had lufend for male lovers, lufestre for women. Meaning one who has a predilection for (a thing, concept, pursuit, etc.) is mid 14c. As a form of address to a lover, from 1911. Related:… … Etymology dictionary
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lover — ► NOUN 1) a person having a sexual or romantic relationship with another. 2) a person who enjoys a specified thing: a music lover … English terms dictionary
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lover — [luv′ər] n. 1. a person who greatly enjoys something or has great affection for something [a lover of fine wine] 2. a person who loves sexually or romantically; specif., a) either partner in a sexual relationship of any kind b) either partner in… … English World dictionary
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Lover — Lo ver (l[=oo] v[ e]r), Lovery Lo ver*y (l[=oo] v[ e]r*[y^]), n. See {Louver}. [Obs.] Bp. Hall. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
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Lover — Lover, Richard, so v.w. Lower … Pierer’s Universal-Lexikon
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lover — [n] person having sexual relationship admirer, beau, beloved, boyfriend, companion, courter, darling, dear, dearest, escort, fiancé, fiancée, flame, girlfriend, idolizer, inamorata, inamorato, infatuate, Juliet*, paramour, petitioner, Romeo*,… … New thesaurus
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lover */*/ — UK [ˈlʌvə(r)] / US [ˈlʌvər] noun [countable] Word forms lover : singular lover plural lovers 1) someone who is in a loving or sexual relationship with another person She gazed into the eyes of her lover. young lovers: Romeo and Juliet,… … English dictionary
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lover — n. 1) to take a lover 2) to jilt a lover 3) an impetuous; lousy (colloq.) lover * * * [ lʌvə] lousy (colloq.) lover an impetuous to jilt a lover to take a lover … Combinatory dictionary
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1
b
lovers plural
: two persons in love with each other
2
: an affectionate or benevolent friend
3
: devotee
a lover of mystery novels
4
a
: paramour
Her husband found a love letter from her lover.
b
: a person with whom one has sexual relations
Synonyms
Example Sentences
His wife accused him of having a secret lover.
She left her husband and ran away with her lover.
Recent Examples on the Web
Also, Chris loved spending time with his friends playing board games and was an avid animal lover.
—Kc Baker, Peoplemag, 31 Mar. 2023
Smart, who was convicted in 1991 at age 22 for convincing her teenage lover to kill her husband, asked the state’s highest court last year to reverse Gov. Chris Sununu’s decision to deny her a commutation hearing.
—Miles Cohen, ABC News, 29 Mar. 2023
Smart, who became a national sensation in 1990 after her teenage lover killed her husband, has become a prison preacher.
—Kathy Mccormack, BostonGlobe.com, 29 Mar. 2023
Mélusine, the figure from 14th century French mythology, was a half-woman/half-snake who, when her serpentine self was spied on by her betraying lover, turned into a dragon and took flight.
—Steve Hochman, SPIN, 28 Mar. 2023
At a little under two minutes long, the song is the perfect length for a quick dance with your lover or one-time fling.
—Cydney Lee, Billboard, 27 Mar. 2023
Bruno claims the judge had a lover, but a search of her home doesn’t reveal evidence of a love affair.
—Tanya Melendez, EW.com, 27 Mar. 2023
An arrest affidavit obtained by Fox News Digital revealed that Craig allegedly flew out his orthodontist lover from Austin, Texas, to Denver as his 43-year-old spouse lay dying in the hospital.
—Rebecca Rosenberg, Fox News, 23 Mar. 2023
Or someone spotted you and your lover holding hands at a party.
—David Oliver, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word ‘lover.’ Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Time Traveler
The first known use of lover was
in the 13th century
Dictionary Entries Near lover
Cite this Entry
“Lover.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lover. Accessed 14 Apr. 2023.
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More from Merriam-Webster on lover
Last Updated:
2 Apr 2023
— Updated example sentences
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
And when I asked her why, she answered that her lover — she has a _lover_, the minx — had told her that the Colonel held secret talks with the witches, and though I laughed at this, it has set me thinking. ❋ Anna Katharine Green (1890)
_An abbess, arising in haste and in the dark to find one of her nuns, who had been denounced to her, in bed with her lover and, thinking to cover her head with her coif, donneth instead thereof the breeches of a priest who is abed with her; the which the accused nun observing and making her aware thereof, she is acquitted and hath leisure to be with her lover_ 432 ❋ Giovanni Boccaccio (1344)
The term «latin lover» is hardly a misnomer, for a Mexican man is an ardent and effusive swain. ❋ Unknown (2007)
I don’t necessarily like to use the word lover because it sounds like they just come over and have sex with you. ❋ NANCY DILLON (2011)
Today as a publicist, parent, and a word lover, I draw on my vocabulary for communicating messages effectively. ❋ Diana Bianchini (2011)
Love Guru Dr. Ava Cadell, founder of Loveology University, invites romantics to submit a FREE entry listing why their lover is the best. ❋ Unknown (2009)
Sanford left his four sons on Father’s Day weekend to chase his lover is the most unforgivable transgression, worse than anything he did to his wife. ❋ Unknown (2009)
On the other hand, if you learn that your lover is a superhero, you might as well shoot yourself. ❋ Unknown (2008)
«I’ve always been somewhat a label lover,» says Ms. Mayer, holding dresses by Carolina Herrera (left) and Oscar de la Renta (right). ❋ Unknown (2008)
The second food picture has chicken and broccoli, bean sprouts, and what they called lover chicken. ❋ Unitas We Stand (2006)
«Gladys» said Helen, «dont hate me for what I am going to tell you; I only do it because I love you and wish to save you, it is a blessing you came here today, I suppose in another week you would have married Mr. Palsey but you wont now, for the man you call your lover is the murderer of my father.» ❋ Daisy Ashford (1926)
She made no further attempt therefore to cure what she called her lover‘s crotchets, and Gamelin remained firm in the conviction that ❋ Anatole France (1884)
«I’ve always been a word lover,» said Evans, who is a philosophy professor at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Va., and has written 16 other books, including «The Artful Nuance: A Refined Guide to Imperfectly Understood Words in the English Language» (Perigee, $13.95) and «Sexicon: The Ultimate X-Rated Dictionary» (Citadel). ❋ Unknown (2011)
I must not look forward; I will only enjoy the present pleasure of believing myself one of the first in her esteem and friendship, and of shewing her all those little pleasing attentions so dear to a sensible heart; attentions in which her lover is astonishingly remiss: he is at Montreal, and I am told was gay and happy on his journey thither, though he left his mistress behind. ❋ Unknown (1769)
The word lover, at that day, meant simply a person who loved you; where we say «lover,» they said «servant.» ❋ Emily Sarah Holt (1864)
But Jahanara had heard the word lover from Roshanara’s mouth, and she cringed to think that her sister would consider Najabat Khan so…also. ❋ Indu Sundaresan (2010)
«Erik and I are partners.»
«Business partners?»
«No, he’s my life partner.»
«Your what?»
«You know, [my lover], [my darling].»
«[Uuhhh]…»
«We’re gay, stupid. That’s what. He’s my boyfriend.» ❋ Lorelili (2005)
[Jacob] and [Ivana] are [lovers] and he would give anything to make her happy. ❋ Moesy (2006)
[you are] so [beautiful] and you are [my lover] ❋ Strwbryicecrm (2019)
❋ Anonymous (2003)
[This girl] I’m [having sex] with, she’s [my lover] ❋ Captian Capable (2012)
«[hes] my, [Lover]» ❋ Oof.Its.me (2018)
We’re [lezbian] [lovers]. ❋ Alexius (2003)
«u guys! hes just my friend» *thinking in head* [yeah right] we are. i wanna [hop] his [bones] right now. ❋ Sue Johanson (2005)
[My lover] [sneaked] into my bedroom last night and we made [hot hot] love. ❋ Holly Booday (2005)
i am your lover, foreverrr and always ! [yes i] [love you], [my lover] ❋ Wewe123 (2005)
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#1
Dear forum members,
Many times in literature I have encountered the words «lover», «my/his/her lover»? What precisely does it mean in English today? Even further, what would you think if you heard that «she is my lover»?
A «lover», according to the dictionary, denotes 2 difrent notions:
1) A person you really love (your husband, your wife, a person you have not married to)
2) Someone you have sexual relationships with (illegally, I would say), aside from your wife or husband (i.e., you are not faithful to a partner you are married to).
As you see, 2 utterly different meanings. Which one is correct?
Last edited: Jan 4, 2009
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#2
I think in modern BE, Dmitry, your definition 2 has it pretty well. It’s also used for a reasonably regular sexual partner of the same sex — I wasn’t clear if your definition included or excluded that possibility.
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#3
They are both correct. The word may mean either one, according to context. In my experience it more often means someone with whom one is having an affair (extramarital relationship). It tends to refer to a male more than a female.
To use «lover» to refer to someone you are simply in love with (without reference to whether it is illicit or not) sounds somewhat old-fashioned (or perhaps poetic) to me, at least in heterosexual relationships. In gay relationships it is more common, perhaps because there is not (or has not been until recently) the possibility of using words relating to married relationships.
The word also refers to sexual or romantic performance when qualified: «a good lover»; «a tender lover», etc. In this case it can be within marriage or partnership or not.
Last edited: Jan 4, 2009
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#4
I’m intrigued, Mole. Let’s suppose that I, for argument’s sake an unmarried person, was to say to a friend, male or female, who had invited me to lunch, that I would very much like to bring my lover with me. I don’t think it would be a dangerous thing to say to a close friend. Could that possibly be taken, in modern BE, in meaning 1? Where I come from I think it would certainly imply someone with whom I was having a sexual relationship.
What sort of context were you thinking of for it to have meaning 1? I couldn’t think of one.
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#5
TT, I think you are reading too much into MM’s comment
I think both of you agree that «lover» tends to mean someone with whom one is having an affair.
I don’t think I’d use it to mean «husband/wife»…
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#6
I assume that «lover» is someone you are having an affair with and that you are not married to.
So I would say both of Dmitri’s definitions are slightly wrong. I don’t think «lover» means someone that I am in love with per se (although of course I might be having an affair with someone I love). Nor do I think it means an «extramarital» affair per se because I might perfectly well be single and have a lover.
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#7
Concerning the definition of lover, you wrote (emphasis added):
2) Someone you have sexual relationships with (illegally, I would say), aside from your wife or husband (i.e., you are not faithful to a partner you are married to).
I’d like to note that such a relationship is not illegal, at least in the US.
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#8
In my experience it more often means someone with whom one is having an affair (extramarital relationship). It tends to refer to a male more than a female.
I think both of you agree that «lover» tends to mean someone with whom one is having an affair.
I don’t think I’d use it to mean «husband/wife»…
I assume that «lover» is someone you are having an affair with and that you are not married to.
I have often heard «lover» used in the context of a married relationship; spouses of either sex will use «lover» to describe the relationship. «We are both lovers and best friends.» In this context «lover» simply connotes a close and continuing sexual relationship, without conveying anything about the marital status of the partners.
As always, context governs and in many situations «lover» can explicitly convey a non-marital relationship. «Marie is my wife, but Rita is my lover.» «Heather and I have been lovers for ten years now.»
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#9
I thank you all for your replies. First of all, let us avoid speaking about people with unconventional sexual orientation. I did not mean, of course, to mention this.
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So, as I have understood from the previous posts, the word «lover» is mainly used for talking about someone you have an affair with and it mainly concerns men (but not women). In fact, I thought that the word «mistress» is employed for this purpose, isn’t it? Or it has become old-fashioned by now?
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#10
I thank you all for your replies. First of all, let us avoid speaking about people with unconventional sexual orientation. I did not mean, of course, to mention this.
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So, as I have understood from the previous posts, the word «lover» is mainly used for talking about someone you have an affair with and it mainly concerns men (but not women). In fact, I thought that the word «mistress» is employed for this purpose, isn’t it? Or it has become old-fashioned by now?
Interesting point. The word mistress does seem to have dropped out of current use. However, I think there is a subtle difference between ‘mistress’ and ‘lover’. ‘Mistress’ normally refers to a ‘kept woman’ or, in other words, someone the male maintains, provides accommodation, pays the bills, etc., whereas a ‘lover’ would relate simply to someone he is having an affair with. Of course, the ‘mistress’ could also be his ‘lover’, but not the other way round.
As Basil Ganglis says, some people refer to their husband/wife as their ‘lover’ in a familiar context, something rather romantic and nice, to my way of thinking.
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#11
Tell me, please, which words (in Britain or in the USA, it does not matter) should I use if I intend to convey the following (if possible, give me, please, several options):
1) A person I really love
2) A person I only have sexual relationships with
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#12
I, in BE, would say:
1. someone I really love. — NOT lover because that just concerned with eros. Here we are surely concerned with philia and agapè.
2. my lover — and I don’t really agree that there’s a sexual bias here (it could be said by a man of a man or of a woman, or by a woman of a man or of a woman).
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#13
How about:
1) My loving …. (woman or man)
2) My beloved …. (woman or man)
Who do we refer to by these adjectives?
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#14
I agree with MM that «lover» is more usually definition 2) and that 1) sounds old-fashioned. I think that the connotations that «lover» has are driven by the fact that you are defining a person by the fact that you have sexual relations with them, or that someone else is defining them as such. I think this is the reason that someone would be unlikely to describe their wife or husband as «my lover» because it would suggest that this was the only relationship between them (not life-partner, friend etc).
For the point that MM makes about gay relationships I think that you do more often hear it said about someone’s gay partner, particularly by sensational reporting, because there is more of a likelihood to assume a platonic relationship otherwise. Before their civil partnership I wouldn’t be surprised to hear David Furnish, for example, described as «Elton John’s lover» in the press — but would be surprised if that was the term they used to introduce each other. It’s also the term to use if you deliberately want to make this aspect of any relationship explicit as in «she is not just his secretary, she is his lover too».
I also agree that «a lover» is more likely to be used by a woman about a man than the other way round — it suggests a purely sexual relationship, and makes me think of gardeners climbing up ladders to half-opened windows at midnight (or maybe that’s just me!).
My goodness me, I’ve just noticed that I firstly wrote «widows» instead of «windows» in that last sentence! Now that is Freudian…
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#15
How about:
1) My loving …. (woman or man)
2) My beloved …. (woman or man)Who do we refer to by these adjectives?
No one, they are not set-phrases as far as I know.
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#16
What meaning do these adjectives have when used for talking about people: loving, beloved. Do they mean that you really love this person? Or maybe the meaning is slightly different (for example, I once came across «my beloved son» when the mother was addressing her child, of course, this love is different).
Last edited: Jan 4, 2009
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#17
What meaning do these adjectives have when used for talking about people: loving, beloved. Do they mean that you really love this person? Or maybe the meaning is slightly different (for example, I once came across «my beloved son» when the mother was addressing her child, of course, this love is different).
«My loving son» or «my beloved son» sound like something a mother might say at her son’s funeral. You could say of someone «he is a loving son/father» and it means he is very attentive.
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#18
«My loving son» or «my beloved son» sound like something a mother might say at her son’s funeral.
Not necessarily. In one historical film this was a phrase said by a mother about her son who was in exile.
Last edited: Jan 4, 2009
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#19
I agree with you, Dmitry, that «loving/beloved son» is not necessarily something said at funerals.
But I agree even more strongly with timpeac that that is what the expressions ‘sound like’…
As regards the original question about «lover», I’ve been reflecting. I don’t think this is a term I use in everyday life, though I might, for example, use it in an essay on a work of literature.
I suppose that’s because in real life it’s accompanied with a sort of
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#20
Not necessarily. In one historical film this was a phrase said by a mother about her son who was in exile.
I didn’t say exclusively. In any case, I think that speaking about someone who has been exiled and someone who is dead is very similar…
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#21
I consider «lovers» to fall broadly into the second definition in the OP, although I don’t particularly associate it exclusively with illicit relationships (I think that’s what Dmitry meant when he said «illegally»). «Burton and Taylor first became lovers…», an article might say (in that case, before the film buffs jump to correct me, I suspect RB was in fact already married at the time, so it’s not the best example, but imagine if you will, for the purpose of this post, that he wasn’t). Anyway, «X and Y first became lovers…» means, to me, that they first became romantically (and most probably sexually) involved at that point, regardless of the marital status of each of them.
I accept that the word does have a notion of «affair» (in the extra-marital sense) about it, although I suspect that was perhaps stronger before and less so now. (People generally, I think, tend to speak of relationships now rather than affairs.)
Since we are all created equal, and since love between two people, in this sense, is the same for me regardless of gender, I should also add — despite the apparent preference of some to ignore the issue — that I agree that «lover» is a common expression to mean the other person in a gay relationship. A couple of thoughts: (a) based primarily (but not exclusively) on representations in the popular media, I get the feeling that «lover» is used more in AmE than BrE by a gay man to describe the man he has a relationship with; and (b) in both straight (unmarried) and gay relationships, I think «partner» is now a much more common word to describe one’s «other half» than «lover» (and I think even the press is catching up in that respect).
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#22
«partner» «lover» «boyfriend» or «girlfriend» are all used for somewhat committed sexual-romantic relationships.
Extra-marital relationships — lover is the romantic version, «boyfriend» or «girlfriend» are also used (e.g. It turned out my husband had a girlfriend on the side).
Sexual not very romantic relationships — often people use the term «friends with benefits» (sex being the benefits and you don’t really have to be very good friends). This indicated a relationship in which you have sex with the person without any romantic or loving aspects. This is a pretty casual term for a pretty casual relationship.
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#23
«My loving son» or «my beloved son» sound like something a mother might say at her son’s funeral. You could say of someone «he is a loving son/father» and it means he is very attentive.
Have any of you seen the movie Keeping Mum with Rowan Atkinson starring in it? In one scene, he’s reading the Song of Solomon and he goes:
Come, my beloved, let us see if the vine flourishes, and the tender grapes appear, and the pomegranates bud forth.
The author of the Song of Solomon was speaking of his love/lover/the woman with whom he was involved in something more than just a friendship. (As far as Grace’s interpretation is concerned.)
By the way, I literally love the language in the Song of Solomon.
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#24
A bit drifted off topic but…
The same two acceptations of the translated term occur in my language.
It looks like the typical conflict between original straight meaning and its deviation and evolution from a particular moment on. Sometimes even an ironic or sarcastic deviation, as partly in this case (affairs without any love). Whether or not this latter interpretation is more likely nowadays, the former will remain probably always there and we should be aware of this because either we may deal with old-fashioned texts, even nowadays that literal sense still is plausible and perhaps in the future the original meaning might recover its previous weight. In addition, hardly the context won’t make its meaning clear.
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#25
Really, a great variety of commentaries. As a result, I am finally convinced, I think, that «lover» is not the most suitable word for describing heterosexual relationships (and, hence, marriages) between two people. Despite my suggestion to avoid discussing here gays, lesbians, etc. some of you still decided to ignore this point. Perhaps, it is even better than following my suggestion since I have realized now that in many cases by saying «… a lover …» I may, in fact, convey a different thing, not the one I expect to.
I agree that «partner» is the word which has become very popular nowadays. In contemporary British films and even in newspapers (curently, only the «Saint-Petersburg Times» is available to me) this word is used quite often. I think its usage in English is nearly the same as in Russian — slightly informal, sometimes considered a bit indecent towards women.
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Of course, «girlfriend» and «boyfriend» are the most frequently used words among teenagers
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I have investigated the meanings of «beloved» in Cambridge and Collins dictionaries. In Collins dictionary, the main meaning is the one you have determined (please, see the previous messages). However, this word used to mean «someone you really love». Now it is considered old-fashioned and no longer used to mean this.
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Finally, I have remembered one more: a sweetheart used by men for applying to their women. I suppose, this word is still very common in English language.
Last edited: Jan 5, 2009
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#26
I thank you all for your replies. First of all, let us avoid speaking about people with unconventional sexual orientation. I did not mean, of course, to mention this.
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So, as I have understood from the previous posts, the word «lover» is mainly used for talking about someone you have an affair with and it mainly concerns men (but not women). In fact, I thought that the word «mistress» is employed for this purpose, isn’t it? Or it has become old-fashioned by now?
I disagree with the gender distinction. As far as I am concerned, both males and females can be referred to as ‘lovers’ in the affair/sexual sense.
«Mary is my lover.»
«John is my lover.»
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#27
Dmitry_86, maybe it’s a cultural thing but «sweetheart» is not something I restrict to a boyfriend.
«He’s my sweetie/sweetheart» could mean someone I really like in the platonic sense. Context plays a large role here. To me, using «sweetheart» to mean a boyfriend or girlfriend seems rather old-fashioned.
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#28
Dmitry_86, maybe it’s a cultural thing but «sweetheart» is not something I restrict to a boyfriend.
«He’s my sweetie/sweetheart» could mean someone I really like in the platonic sense. Context plays a large role here. To me, using «sweetheart» to mean a boyfriend or girlfriend seems rather old-fashioned.
1. I did not mean to address a man by using the word «sweetheart». I expected it to refer to women, of course.
2. I also suppose that a word might be old-fashioned. At least it was very widely used, for example, in Henry the eight’s times. In the film made on the basis of a well-known Shakespeare’s tragedy, Henry calles Anne Boleyn «a sweetheart» before proposing to her (later she was beheaded on his order so maybe using this word when talking about women is an evil omen to them ). So the word itself is quite old and, perhaps, no longer used.
Which one would you suggest (for addressing women)?
Last edited: Jan 5, 2009
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#29
I think you misunderstood my first point Dmitry. When I said that I would not restrict the use of the «sweetheart» to a boyfriend, I meant that I would also use it with a male friend. I don’t think that sweetheart is exclusive to women or girlfriends. I also use it with close male friends.
I could say something like,
«He is such a sweetheart.»
If I said, «He is
my
sweetheart» that may imply that he’s my boyfriend, but it doesn’t have to mean this.
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#30
Really, a great variety of commentaries. As a result, I am finally convinced, I think, that «lover» is not the most suitable word for describing heterosexual relationships (and, hence, marriages) between two people. Despite my suggestion to avoid discussing here gays, lesbians, etc. some of you still decided to ignore this point. Perhaps, it is even better than following my suggestion since I have realized now that in many cases by saying «… a lover …» I may, in fact, convey a different thing, not the one I expect to.
I agree that «partner» is the word which has become very popular nowadays. In contemporary British films and even in newspapers (curently, only the «Saint-Petersburg Times» is available to me) this word is used quite often. I think its usage in English is nearly the same as in Russian — slightly informal, sometimes considered a bit indecent towards women.
People are ignoring your suggestion because homosexual relationships are relevant to your question. Both ‘lover’ and ‘partner’ are widely used to describe homosexual relationships. And this fact affects their use for heterosexual ones.
«___ is my lover» sounds quaint and old-fashioned to me. The people I’ve heard using it are mostly actors who like to speak very melodramatically. I would expect someone to use this if they wanted to specify that the person they were referring to was someone they were in love with and having sex with (rather than someone they had a casual relationship to). I wouldn’t expect someone to use this about their spouse unless they were trying to indicate that they valued love and sex rather than a socially sanctioned relationship.
‘Lover’ is also used for a sexual partner other than one’s spouse. It can be used for a man or a woman (unlike the word ‘mistress’). I’ve seen it used for cases where the spouse knew and approved and ones where they didn’t.
‘Lover’ can also be used to address people. («Hey there, Lover» and so on) This usage is distinct from the two above. I don’t use this, but if I heard someone else do so, I would not assume that the person they were addressing was actually their lover.
‘Partner’ and ‘significant other’ are popular with heterosexual couples I know who either disapprove of the institution of marriage or who have been dating for a long time but are not married. ‘Significant other’ is more awkward and more ridiculous, but using ‘partner’ suggests that you might be talking about a same-sex relationship. People may avoid one or the other for those reasons.
Personally, I just use ‘boyfriend’/’girlfriend’, even in cases where the people have a common law marriage.
However, usage of these sorts of relationship terms varies extremely widely by region, age, social group, etc.
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#31
I think you misunderstood my first point Dmitry. When I said that I would not restrict the use of the «sweetheart» to a boyfriend, I meant that I would also use it with a male friend. I don’t think that sweetheart is exclusive to women or girlfriends. I also use it with close male friends.
I could say something like,
«He is such a sweetheart.»If I said, «He is
my
sweetheart» that may imply that he’s my boyfriend, but it doesn’t have to mean this.
I agree. «A sweetheart», «my sweetheart», and «Sweetheart» (used to address someone) are all different.
my/his/her sweetheart = my/his/her boyfriend/girlfriend
a sweetheart = a kind, sweet, wonderful person
Sweetheart = Honey, Sweetie, Darling, etc. (I know some people who address their kids with this one.)
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#32
I think you misunderstood my first point Dmitry. When I said that I would not restrict the use of the «sweetheart» to a boyfriend, I meant that I would also use it with a male friend. I don’t think that sweetheart is exclusive to women or girlfriends. I also use it with close male friends.
I could say something like,
«He is such a sweetheart.»If I said, «He is
my
sweetheart» that may imply that he’s my boyfriend, but it doesn’t have to mean this.
I see your point now. I think it is not misunderstanding of mine but, more likely, the fact that I have never heard the word «sweetheart» used referring to male friends of women who are not either their boyfriends or husbands.
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#33
To my ear …
«Lover» can be used to describe any serious, continuing sexual relationship of any gender pairing. It implies a relationship that is something that is not casual and is more serious than just boyfriend/girlfriend.
«Partner», when used in the context of a live-together relationship, implies a serious long-term commitment. Again, any gender pairing is possible. For couples that explicitly choose to not be married or for whom a marriage ceremony is not possible, partner becomes almost the same as spouse.
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#34
‘Lover’ can also be used to address people. («Hey there, Lover» and so on) This usage is distinct from the two above. I don’t use this, but if I heard someone else do so, I would not assume that the person they were addressing was actually their lover.
In this sense, is it an old-fashioned word for «friend«?
‘Partner’ and ‘significant other’ are popular with heterosexual couples I know who either disapprove of the institution of marriage or who have been dating for a long time but are not married. ‘Significant other’ is more awkward and more ridiculous, but using ‘partner’ suggests that you might be talking about a same-sex relationship. People may avoid one or the other for those reasons.
Still, despite the possible awkwardness, I have acquired one more possibility «significant lover». By the way, this word exists in Russian as well. What is more, like in English and probably in most other languages, it is not frequently used. The word is poetic, encountered mainly in films, books and obituaries.
Personally, I just use ‘boyfriend’/’girlfriend’, even in cases where the people have a common law marriage.
So do I
Last edited: Jan 6, 2009
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#35
I
Still, despite the possible awkwardness, I have acquired one more possibility «significant lover». By the way, this word exists in Russian as well.
Are you sure you haven’t heard «significant other«, not «significant lover«? «Significant other» is a common expression while I have never heard of «significant lover».
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#36
Dmitry_86;6297312]
Originally Posted by Franzi
‘Lover’ can also be used to address people. («Hey there, Lover» and so on) This usage is distinct from the two above. I don’t use this, but if I heard someone else do so, I would not assume that the person they were addressing was actually their lover
In this sense, is it an old-fashioned word for «friend«?
No, it does not mean friend. I’m more familiar with the term of address lover boy (rather than lover girl). A lover boy would be a womaniser or someone attractive to others (usually girls).
You mentioned ‘lover’ in literature. In some contexts, it can mean love that is not sexual in nature. There is a well-known hymn ‘Jesus, lover of my soul, let me hide myself in thee …’
Last edited: Jan 7, 2009
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#37
‘Lover’ can also be used to address people. («Hey there, Lover» and so on) This usage is distinct from the two above. I don’t use this, but if I heard someone else do so, I would not assume that the person they were addressing was actually their lover.
I hear «love» often used in that fashion — a waitress in a coffee shop might say «More coffee, luv?» — but seldom, if ever, do I hear «lover» used as a casual greeting.
I certainly do not think a non-native speaker should think it’s acceptable to use «lover» as a form of address, regardless of how informal the setting might be.
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#38
I agree with Matching Mole, Basil Ganglia, and Netkretep. It depends on context. In the plural, lovers usually means simply «people in love»:
Hello, young lovers, wherever you are.
Lovers are very special people.
I walk along the streets I used to walk. Two by two lovers pass, ….
(lines from songs)
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#39
Are you sure you haven’t heard «significant other«, not «significant lover«? «Significant other» is a common expression while I have never heard of «significant lover».
Pardon, once again. Of course, I heard «significant other» speaking about someone’s spouse. I was in a rush for posting the message and confused the word. I will be more careful next time.
Thanks to you all for your detailed and informative replies