ex
9 synonyms and 0 antonyms for ex, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A former romantic partner, such as an ex-girlfriend, ex-boyfriend, or ex-spouse.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use ex
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From the Latin prefix ex-, meaning "out of" or "former."
Full origin of ex →Frequently asked questions
What does “ex” mean?
The word “ex” means a former romantic partner, such as an ex-girlfriend, ex-boyfriend, or ex-spouse. In plain terms, short for "former" — most commonly used for a past romantic partner.
How do you pronounce “ex”?
“Ex” is pronounced ehks (/ɛks/ in IPA).
How do you use “ex” in a sentence?
Here is “ex” used in a sentence: “She ran into her ex at the supermarket.”
What part of speech is “ex”?
Depending on how it is used, “ex” can be a noun, a verb and an adjective.
Where does the word “ex” come from?
The word “ex” comes from Latin. From the Latin prefix ex-, meaning "out of" or "former.".
Is “ex” a common word?
“Ex” is a very common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “ex” have?
“Ex” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a former romantic partner, such as an ex-girlfriend, ex-boyfriend, or ex-spouse.
What does "ex" mean?
"Ex" is an informal noun for a former romantic partner, such as an ex-girlfriend, ex-boyfriend, ex-husband, or ex-wife. It is simply short for those longer terms. The prefix "ex-" means "former," so your "ex" is someone you used to be in a relationship with.
Is "ex" formal or informal?
Used alone as a noun, "ex" is informal and conversational. In formal writing you would more likely say "former partner," "ex-spouse," or "former husband" or "wife." In everyday speech, though, "my ex" is completely natural and instantly understood.
What is the difference between "ex" and "former partner"?
They mean the same thing but differ in tone. "Ex" is casual shorthand used in conversation, while "former partner" is more formal and neutral. You might tell a friend about "my ex" but write "her former partner" in a report or official document.
What is an example of "ex" in a sentence?
"I ran into my ex at the coffee shop" means a former romantic partner. As a standalone noun, "ex" almost always refers to a past girlfriend, boyfriend, husband, or wife, and the exact relationship is usually clear from context.