single word requests - What is the male equivalent of "mistress" in formal English?


The mistress definition, Oxford dictionary



a woman having an extramarital sexual relationship, esp. with a married man



I am looking for the male equivalent of 'mistress' as defined above. Some sources on the net come up with 'master' and 'mastress'. But I could not find both words in dictionary as male equivalent of mistress.


So, any male equivalents of mistress in formal English?



Answer



Paramour may be the word you're looking for although it can be used for either sex.



an illicit lover; a person with whom someone is having a romantic or sexual relationship and especially a secret or improper relationship.


Her husband found a love letter from her paramour. source



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