DictionaryRoot: -er
English

-er

a person or thing that does something

Forms

  • -er
  • -r — Used after some bases ending in e.

Origin

Old English -ere, generally traced through Germanic to Latin -arius.

Note

It can name a tool as readily as a person. The comparison ending in taller has a different history.

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noun

romancer

Someone who pursues romantic love.

The hopeful romancer brings flowers and asks her out to dinner.

Etymology

Romance acquired the sense of courtship or romantic love. The agent ending names a person who pursues that kind of relationship.

More examples

  • The shy romancer expresses his feelings in handwritten letters.
  • Both romancers try to win her affection.
  • She is a patient romancer who never rushes a new relationship.

Forms

romancer · romancers

romance verb — To court someone with romantic attention.

Similar words

suitor
Someone seeking a relationship, often with marriage in mind.
admirer
May feel romantic interest without actively pursuing a relationship.