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lifesaver

lifesaver

28 3.0
A person or thing that helps you a lot when you are in trouble
  • noun
  • /ˈlaɪfˌseɪvər/
translation icon : salvavidas
  • For many busy parents, meal delivery services are a lifesaver after long workdays.

The hydrocolloid pimple patches have been a lifesaver for me recently.

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Examples

  • Fish oil may have been a lifesaver after a brain injury.

    Blog text (25)
  • The hydrocolloid pimple patches have been a lifesaver for me recently.

  • These have been a lifesaver here on this train.

  • You are such a lifesaver.

  • This was my lifesaver on my vacation.

  • Planning and having things cooked ahead of time is my lifesaver now.

    Blog text (14)
  • Those blankets are a lifesaver.

  • For retailers, an e-commerce site could be a lifesaver in a disaster.

    Blog text (21)
  • Having gluten-free options at restaurants is such a lifesaver for celiacs.

    Blog text (31)
  • We have an HP Envy printer and it has been such a lifesaver during lockdown.

Synonyms

savior
vslifesaver
  • US
194 3.2

A person who helps someone escape danger or harm

is used more generally for urgent rescue and also everyday assistance
helper
vslifesaver
79 1.0

A person who does tasks for others, for example at events

is stronger, covering urgent rescue and critical assistance as well
rescuer
vslifesaver
64 1.4

A person who saves people or animals from danger

also covers items or people who help in difficult non-danger situations
saver
vslifesaver
4 4.6

A person who rescues others from danger

is broader by including both rescue and general help in hard times
deliverer
vslifesaver
4 5.9

A person who rescues others from danger

also applies to people or things that aid in difficult non-danger situations
real lifesaver
vslifesaver
  • Informal
1 3.5

A person who gives very important help in a difficult situation

is the more general term that also includes less critical assistance
redeemer
vslifesaver
1 5.6

A person who saves people or things from danger

is similar but also includes ordinary help beyond restoration actions
surfman
vslifesaver
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A person who rescues people from shipwrecks near the shore

is the general term used for rescue in many different situations
recoverer
vslifesaver
6.8

A person who saves or gets back things from danger

is broader by covering rescue and other non-retrieval help in hard times
succorer
vslifesaver
9.8

A person who helps others in trouble

is more focused on urgent rescue and also on life saving help
assistor
vslifesaver
4.3

A person or thing that helps someone with a task

is broader by including both routine support and urgent lifesaving help

Compounds

real lifesaver
  • Informal
1 3.5

A person who gives very important help in a difficult situation

How Helpful

rescuer
64 1.4
lifesaver
28 3.0
assistant
833 1.0
supporter
817 1.0

Surface Forms

lifesaver singular
lifesavers plural

Morphology

lifesaver = life + saver (transparent) = life + save + er

Generic use naming someone or something that rescues or helps; the compound directly conveys this role.

Etymology

Lifesaver is formed from life and save, meaning 'someone or something that saves a life'. That's why we call a very helpful person or useful thing a lifesaver when they rescue us from a big problem.