What is the Latin word for lover?

The usual Latin words for “lover” are amō, amīcus, cultor; also voluptās, aedificō. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

English → Latin

“lover” in Latin

amōto love; to be fond of, like, admire; to be pleased by or with (someone or something) for (a particular reason); to deri amīcusfriendly, well-disposed, amicable; loyal, devoted to; supporting, propitious, helpful cultorcultivator, tiller, husbandman, planter, grower (someone who bestows care or labor upon something); inhabitant, dweller;voluptāspleasure, delight, enjoyment, satisfaction; joy, charmer aedificōto build, erect, establish; (figuratively) to "build" a life, to live in a morally good or prudent manner; to create, fr

Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864

lover

One who is fond of anything, amans, amicus, amator alicujus rei (the amans and amicus simply have an inclination for anything; the amator shows the inclination by deeds: thus, the amans pacis delights in peace, but the amator pacis also endeavors to secure peace): cultor alicujus rei (one who esteems or thinks highly of anything): studiosus alicujus rei (that shows an interest in anything). A great lover of anything, alicujus rei amantissimus; alicujus rei magnus amator; alicujus rei studiosissimus; consectator alicujus rei (one who zealously pursues an object; e.g., voluptatis): a lover of building, aedificator: a lover of antiquity, amator antiquitatis: a lover of learning, litterarum studiosus: a lover of the chase, vcnandi studiosus: lovers of such things, qui sunt harum rerum studiosi: to be a lover of anything, alicujus rei amantem, etc., esse; aliqua re delectari, gaudere (to take pleasure in anything): to be a great lover of anything, magnum alicujus rei esse amatorem; magno alicujus rei studio teneri.

A person in love, amans; amator (the former has only a lively affection, the latter also gives proofs of his attachment): cultor (one who pays attention, an admirer; less than amator. ☞ Amasius = amator, is not found in classic prose): to have many lovers, a multis amari: to have an avowed or declared lover, habere palam decretum semper aliquem (Cic., Cael., 16, 38): lovers, amantes (☞ not par amantium).

Quick answer

What is the Latin word for lover?: The usual Latin words for “lover” are amō, amīcus, cultor; also voluptās, aedificō. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.