spouse

1 of 2

noun

ˈspau̇s 

also

ˈspau̇z 

: married person : husband, wife

spouse

2 of 2

verb

ˈspau̇z  ˈspau̇s 

spoused; spousing

transitive verb

archaic

: wed

Synonyms

Noun

• better half
• consort
• mate
• partner
• significant other

Examples of spouse in a Sentence

Noun

my brothers and sisters and their spouses

employees and their spouses are covered by the health plan

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In 2021, after five years in Congress and one in Trump’s administration, John Ratcliffe appointed his spouse, Michele, an attorney, to serve as the treasurer of his old congressional campaign. —Zach Everson, Forbes, 1 Dec. 2024

And without a job, a spouse who is a citizen, or a hefty sum to invest, Americans can’t just up and move to these countries. —Alicia Adamczyk, Fortune, 30 Nov. 2024

Verb

The Selling Sunset star recently celebrated her 43rd birthday by renewing her vows to spouse G Flip in Australia, G Flip’s home country. —Sara Netzley, EW.com, 24 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French espus (masculine) & espuse (feminine), from Latin sponsus betrothed man, groom & sponsa betrothed woman, bride, both from sponsus, past participle of spondēre to promise, betroth; akin to Greek spendein to pour a libation, Hittite šipant-

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

spouse

noun

ˈspau̇s,

 also  ˈspau̇z

: a married person : husband, wife

spousal

ˈspau̇-zəl

-səl

adjective