partner

10 synonyms and 4 antonyms for partner, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A spouse or other person with whom someone shares a romantic or domestic relationship.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

mate

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

spouse companion

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

significant other better half other half collaborator pardner cooperator married person

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A spouse or other person with whom someone shares a romantic or domestic relationship.

“He booked a table at the restaurant to celebrate with his partner.”

spouse significant other companion better half other half mate collaborator pardner cooperator married person

2. noun

Someone paired with another for a game, dance, or task.

“My partner and I won the quiz because she knew all the geography answers.”

Opposites

enemy competitor opponent rival

How to use partner

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

business partner life partner partner with someone silent partner

Etymology

From Middle English partener, altered (under the influence of "part") from an earlier form parcener, ultimately traced back to Latin partitio, "a dividing into parts."

Full origin of partner →

Frequently asked questions

What does “partner” mean?

The word “partner” means a spouse or other person with whom someone shares a romantic or domestic relationship. In plain terms, someone you team up with — in a relationship, a business, or an activity.

How do you pronounce “partner”?

“Partner” is pronounced PAHT-nuh (/ˈpɑɹt.nɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “partner” in a sentence?

Here is “partner” used in a sentence: “She introduced her partner to the rest of the family.”

What part of speech is “partner”?

Depending on how it is used, “partner” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “partner” come from?

The word “partner” comes from Latin. From Middle English partener, altered (under the influence of "part") from an earlier form parcener, ultimately traced back to Latin partitio, "a dividing into parts.".

Is “partner” a common word?

“Partner” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.

How many meanings does “partner” have?

“Partner” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a spouse or other person with whom someone shares a romantic or domestic relationship.

What is the difference between a partner and a spouse?

A spouse is specifically a husband or wife, someone you are legally married to. A partner is broader: it covers a husband or wife but also an unmarried person you share a romantic or domestic life with. Every spouse is a partner, but a partner need not be a spouse.

Does 'partner' mean the couple is married?

Not necessarily. 'Partner' deliberately leaves marital status open, so it can describe a married couple, an engaged pair, or two people who live together without marrying. If you need to specify marriage, 'spouse', 'husband', or 'wife' are clearer. 'Partner' is chosen precisely when that detail is left unstated.

People also searched

enemy mate opponent rival companion spouse competitor collaborator significant other cooperator pardner

Nearby words

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