A person who is the object of one's love, especially in an affair or romance; a lover; also, a sexual partner.
paramour — Definition and meaning
• A person (especially someone who is not one's spouse) with whom one has an illicit or secret affair; also , one with whom a married person has an adulterous affair.
• A person (especially someone who is not one's spouse) with whom one has an illicit or secret affair; also , one with whom a married person has an adulterous affair.
• A woman who is the object of a knight's love, and who he fights for.
• God as the object of a person's devotion or love.
(Verb) To have an illicit or secret affair with a person, especially someone who is not one's spouse.
(Adverb) Of loving, etc.: out of or through romantic feeling or sexual desire; passionately.
• Used chiefly when addressing someone: out of or through devotion or kindness; as a favour or kindness.
The importance of paramour
paramour appears in U.S. legal practice across multiple practice areas. Knowing what it means — and when it applies — can determine the outcome of motions, filings, and negotiations. For non-lawyers, the value of looking up a precise definition is that legal terms often carry meanings that differ from everyday usage; relying on the common meaning can lead to costly missteps.
How paramour is applied
In practice, paramour is invoked when parties, judges, or attorneys need to identify the legal status of an issue, the rights of those involved, or the procedural step required next. The definition shown above is sourced from Wiktionary , which is widely cited in U.S. legal practice. Because U.S. law is jurisdictionally layered — federal, state, and sometimes local — the precise application of the term can vary by court, so check the controlling authority for your specific case.