former lover
Past romantic partner
A former lover is someone with whom one previously had a romantic or sexual relationship.
The phrase implies intimacy beyond casual dating—you wouldn't typically call someone you went on two dates with a former lover.
It sounds slightly formal or literary; *ex* serves the same purpose in casual speech: I ran into a former lover at the grocery store.
- exPrevious romantic partner
- old flameFormer romantic interest
- heartbreakCrushing emotional pain
- memoriesStored past experiences
- bittersweetWistful yet warm
photograph · letters · nostalgia · longing · the one that got away · breakup · carrying a torch · flame · sweetheart · goodbye · regret · burnt bridges · closure · unfinished business · ghost · past · affair · romance
- exesex, ex-boyfriend, ex-girlfriend, ex-husband, ex-wife
former loversteady
Fixed, not fluctuating
spouse · significant other · boyfriend · girlfriend · life partner
former loverstranger
Person not yet known
complete stranger · acquaintance · casual acquaintance · coworker · neighbor
former, lover, form, love, formerly, loved, loving, lovingly, lovable