noun

significant other

sig-NIF-i-kuhnt UH-thuh

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Significant other (noun) means the person someone is in a long-term romantic relationship with, named this way when the speaker does not want to specify whether they are a husband, wife, partner, girlfriend or boyfriend. Example: “Staff are welcome to bring a significant other to the Christmas dinner.”

noun

The person someone is in a long-term romantic relationship with, named this way when the speaker does not want to specify whether they are a husband, wife, partner, girlfriend or boyfriend.

"Staff are welcome to bring a significant other to the Christmas dinner."

"She moved to Leeds with her significant other last spring."

How to use significant other

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe person you are with.

When to use it

Deliberately neutral about marriage and gender, which makes it useful on invitations, forms and at work. Sometimes abbreviated SO online.

Memory tip

Use it when you do not know, or do not need to state, the exact status of someone's relationship.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

partner → spouse → other half girlfriend →

Common pairings

bring your significant other plus your significant other and their significant others

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “significant other” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Staff are welcome to bring a _____ to the Christmas dinner.

Etymology

Originally a term from social psychology for any person whose opinion strongly shapes one's sense of self, later narrowed in everyday use to a romantic partner.

Origin: English

Synonyms

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partner other half spouse better half

Related words

wife husband partner enemy girlfriend boyfriend mate marry

Rhymes for significant other

other mother bother nother brother another smother smoother godmother grandmother stepbrother

See all rhymes for significant other →

Frequently asked questions

Does significant other mean married?

Not necessarily. It covers spouses, live-in partners and long-term boyfriends or girlfriends alike. That vagueness is the point of the phrase.

What does SO mean in a text message?

In relationship contexts SO is short for significant other, as in "my SO hates that film". Elsewhere online it can just be the word so, so read it from context.

What is the meaning of significant other?

"significant other" (noun) means the person someone is in a long-term romantic relationship with, named this way when the speaker does not want to specify whether they are a husband, wife, partner, girlfriend or boyfriend.

What is another word for significant other?

Other words for "significant other" include partner, other half, spouse, better half.

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