spouse
6 synonyms for spouse, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A husband or wife; the person someone is married to.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
consort
better half
How to use spouse
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
surviving spouse
spouse visa
More formal/legal-sounding than "husband" or "wife" — common on official paperwork.
Etymology
From Old French espous/espose, itself from Latin sponsus/sponsa ("betrothed"), related to "espouse" and "sponsor".
Full origin of spouse →Frequently asked questions
What does “spouse” mean?
The word “spouse” means a husband or wife; the person someone is married to. In plain terms, a neutral, formal word for a husband or wife.
How do you pronounce “spouse”?
“Spouse” is pronounced spows (/spaʊ̯s/ in IPA).
How do you use “spouse” in a sentence?
Here is “spouse” used in a sentence: “Please list your spouse’s name on the form.”
What part of speech is “spouse”?
“Spouse” is a noun.
Where does the word “spouse” come from?
The word “spouse” comes from Latin. From Old French espous/espose, itself from Latin sponsus/sponsa ("betrothed"), related to "espouse" and "sponsor".
Is “spouse” a common word?
“Spouse” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between "spouse" and "partner"?
"Spouse" refers specifically to a person you are legally married to, either a husband or a wife, while "partner" is broader and can describe someone you live with or are in a relationship with, whether married or not. Choose "spouse" when marriage is the key point, and "partner" when you want to stay neutral about marital status.
Is "spouse" a formal word?
"Spouse" is fairly formal and neutral, and it is common on official forms, in legal documents, and in writing. In everyday conversation, people more often say "husband," "wife," or "partner."
Why use "spouse" instead of "husband" or "wife"?
"Spouse" is gender-neutral, so it covers a husband or a wife without specifying which. This makes it useful on forms, in policies, and in any situation where you do not know or do not need to state the person's gender.
