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Kevin
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February 15, 2023
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Common Questions
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When filling out a personal application about your marital status, you may see a question that asks for the name of your spouse — but what does the word “spouse” mean? And where did it come from? We’ll tell you.
Read on to discover all there is to know about this commonly used term, including its definition, origin, usage, and more.
What Is the Definition of Spouse?
/spaʊs/ /spaʊz/ /spouz/
According to the Collins English Dictionary, spouse can be used as either a noun or a verb — though its usage as a verb is all but obsolete in current times. When used as a noun, spouse is defined as a person’s partner in marriage — aka a person’s wife or husband.
Spouse used as a verb means to give, take or join in marriage — but it should be noted that this usage is rarely used in current times.
What Is the Word Origin of Spouse?
The Middle English noun spouse derives from Latin sponsus (past participle of spondēre) as well as sponsa — meaning betrothed man and betrothed woman. Spouse, which was first coined in c. 1200, is also derived from Old French spus and Old French spuse.
What Are the Synonyms and Antonyms of Spouse?
Now that you understand the meaning and origin behind our word of the day, let’s review a few synonyms and antonyms, shall we?
In short, a synonym is a word or phrase that means nearly or exactly the same as another word or phrase. Synonyms of spouse include:
- Domestic partner
- Partner
- Mate
- Consort
- Helpmate
- Squeeze
- Spousal equivalent
- Significant other
- Other half
- Soulmate
- Companion
- Bashert
- Fellow
- Bae
- Beneficiary
- One’s promised
- Bedfellow
- Sidekick
- Cohabitee
- Married person
- Beloved
- Main squeeze
- Life companion
- Live in lover
- Married man
- Spouse equivalent
- Espoused
- Married woman
- Romantic partner
- Wife
- Husband
- Missus
- Groom
- Partner
- Blushing bride
- Loverboy
- Newly married woman
- Betrothed
- Sweetheart
In contrast to synonyms, an antonym is a word of opposite meaning to another word. Antonyms of spouse include:
- Enemy
- Foe
- Opponent
- Lone man
- Antagonist
- Superior
- Single man
- Detractor
- Stranger
- Unmarried man
- Lone woman
- Single woman
- Unmarried woman
- Bachelor
- Friends with benefits
- Fun buddy
- Adversary
- Archenemy
- Betrayer
- ApostateF
- Archfoe
How Can You Use “Spouse” in a Sentence?
A great tool at your disposal when learning the meanings behind all sorts of new words is simply using them in sentences. Whether that be via text messages to your friends, online forums, or just at the water-cooler at work, the more you use a word, the easier it is to remember its meaning!
We invite you to test your newfound knowledge today by writing out a few sentences using the word spouse. To get you started, you will find a few example sentences using spouse below:
“I don’t know who Bill’s current spouse is because he’s been married several times.”
“Call me old-fashioned, but when I asked my spouse to be my forever — I simply got down on one knee and asked her; no fancy gimmicks or elaborate schemes here.”
“Once I marry Sandra, she will become my spouse, and we will spend our days living merrily in Rhode Island.”
“If someone told me having a spouse would just be having a live-in best friend, I would have done this years ago!”
“They were not allowing spouses at this year’s Christmas party after the wild shenanigans that ensued last year — so we found a loophole, and Betsy got a part-time job in the mailroom, and now she still gets to attend!”
“Martin’s new spouse is very kind, and I couldn’t be happier for him!”
“I don’t know what our schedule looks like for the upcoming holiday, but I’ll talk to my spouse and get back to you on availability.”
“If anyone hits their spouse, they’ll get a one-way ticket to the dog house.”
“Every year, my spouse and I re-enact our first date to celebrate our wedding anniversary — though we now skip the drive-through food that we picked up on the way to the bars and opt for something a bit nicer.”
“I have seen all the wonderful videos on the internet of how others propose to their future spouse, and I’d love to do that — but I just don’t think I can come up with anything that wild and creative.”
“Would you be a dear and give my spouse a call?”
“I am looking for my spouse; he’s six feet tall and wearing an orange polo shirt… have you seen him?”
“My application asked for the name of my spouse, but I’m not married.”
“After we get married this weekend, you’ll be my spouse forever and always.”
“Did you know that Sam’s spouse is also named Sam?”
“Kelly isn’t my fiance anymore… she’s my spouse!”
What Are Translations of Spouse?
Wondering how to say our word of the day in a different language? Your friends here at The Word Counter have you covered!
Below you will find translations of spouse that have been proved by NiceTranslator:
- Afrikaans — Gade
- Arabic — زوج
- Bulgarian — съпруг
- Chinese (simplified) — 配偶
- Croatian — suprug
- Czech — manžel
- European Spanish — cónyuge
- American English — spouse
- Danish — ægtefælle
- Dutch — echtgenoot
- Finnish — puoliso
- Brazilian Portuguese — cônjuge
- French — conjoint, époux
- German — Ehepartner, Gatte
- Greek — σύζυγος
- Italian — coniuge
- Japanese — 配偶者
- British English — spouse
- Korean — 배우자
- Norwegian — ektefelle
- Polish — małżonek
- Portuguese — esposo
- Russian — супруг
- Spanish — esposo
- Swedish — make
- Thai — คู่สมรส
- Turkish — eş
- Ukrainian — чоловік
- Vietnamese — chồng
Conclusion
In short, a spouse is your best friend for life, your companion, your partner in crime — the list could go on and on, just like your admiration for your better half.
Although it was once primarily used as a verb meaning “take, give or join in marriage,” — today it is used more to refer to your better half, your wife or husband.
Sources:
Spouse definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary
1 US Code § 7 – Definition of “marriage” and “spouse” | Cornell Law School
