lifesaver
nounUK /ˈlaɪfˌseɪvə/ · US /ˈlaɪfˌseɪvəɹ/
Etymology From life + saver.
› Someone or something that saves lives.
1
A lifeguard or other rescuer.
- My dad loves his job as a surf lifesaver.
- Paramedics are not just ordinary workers but lifesavers with a very important job.
2
A life buoy.
- They threw him a lifesaver and then hauled him up onto the boat.
- Ms Rybicki began filming just as a second IRB drove out to the rogue boat, collecting the first lifesaver into the boat en route.2023 October 2, Emily Bissland, “Warrnambool beach evacuated as surf lifesaver is 'catapulted' from rogue inflatable rescue boat”, in Australian Broadcasting Corporation:
3
Any lifesaving tool or item of supplies.
- When I got lost in the woods, my Swiss Army knife was a lifesaver.
- Dexamethasone hailed as lifesaver for up to a million Covid patients worldwide [title]2021 March 23, Natalie Grover, Denis Campbell, “Dexamethasone hailed as lifesaver for up to a million Covid patients worldwide”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:
4
Figuratively Someone or something that is very useful or helpful.
- Thank you so much for fixing my car; you're a real lifesaver!
- This shop is a lifesaver on a hot day when you're craving a cold drink.
1 more example
- Both Netflix and Amazon Prime Video have been lifesavers during the pandemic. Having both is ideal.2021 August 26, Rachel Obordo, “‘Netflix is a lifesaver!’ The over-65s embracing the streaming boom”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:
- Related terms
- save someone's life, throw someone a rope