amant

Amant is a noun in French meaning a male lover or paramour, typically of someone who is married or in a committed relationship. The term can carry connotations of secrecy or infidelity and is commonly found in literary, historical, or formal contexts.

Etymology: derived from the present participle of aimer, amant literally means “loving” and has been used as a noun since the medieval period to designate a person who loves another. The plural form is amants.

Usage: In modern French, amant remains a standard term for a male lover; it is often more specific and can imply an extramarital or clandestine romance, as opposed to more neutral terms like amoureux. In English-language writing, amant is used as a loanword to evoke a French ambience or in historical or literary contexts, rather than as everyday vocabulary.

See also: amour, maîtresse.