paramour

[par-uh-moor]

noun

1. an illicit lover, especially of a married person.

2. any lover.

paramour

/ ˈpærəˌmʊə /

noun

1. derogatory,  a lover, esp an adulterous woman

2. an archaic word for beloved

Word History and Origins

Origin of paramour¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from the phrase par amour “by love, through love,” from Old French par “by, through” (from Latin per per ( def. ) ) + amo(u)r “love” ( amour ( def. ) )

Word History and Origins

Origin of paramour¹

C13: from Old French, literally: through love

Example Sentences

Often, a Housewife will end one season in a promising new relationship, only for their paramour to be cut loose by the next, when new romances blossom alongside fresh opening taglines.

From Salon

Of course, it was just to help his paramour Kate escape her father’s evil clutches.

From Salon

The priest assures his paramour that he does not require love in return for Jérémie’s freedom, only the occasional stroll through the woods or conversation.

From Salon

His lawyers claim he’s being falsely accused, maintaining that the weapon was a prop he took from the set of a music video filmed with his paramour, the pop star Rihanna.

From Los Angeles Times

When Mayers arrived for court around 9:45 a.m., he was flanked by his usual entourage and mobbed by media, but his paramour was nowhere in sight.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• admirer 
• beau 
• concubine 
• lover 
• mistress 
• sweetheart