significant other
noun
: a person who is important to one's well-being
especially
: a spouse or one in a similar relationship
Examples of significant other in a Sentence
Before you make such an important decision, you should talk it over with your significant other.
she has threatened to divorce her significant other if he doesn't stop gambling
Recent Examples on the Web
For example, after a frustrating conversation, a partner with high reflective functioning might reflect on whether their significant other had a stressful day at work or was feeling emotionally distant due to personal reasons, rather than assuming disinterest.
—
Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Some of our favorite celebrity couples popped out to enjoy their significant other, happily ushering in the new season.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 28 Mar. 2025
This is a great way to bring up money with a significant other for the first time, says Alex King, an accountant and financial coach who’s the founder of the personal finance platform Generation Money.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 26 Mar. 2025
Breezy and straightforward, this romantic track finds June singing about absorbing the light and positivity from a significant other, and desiring to mirror that love and affection back toward them.
—Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for significant other
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025
Some of our favorite celebrity couples popped out to enjoy their significant other, happily ushering in the new season.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 28 Mar. 2025
This is a great way to bring up money with a significant other for the first time, says Alex King, an accountant and financial coach who’s the founder of the personal finance platform Generation Money.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 26 Mar. 2025
Breezy and straightforward, this romantic track finds June singing about absorbing the light and positivity from a significant other, and desiring to mirror that love and affection back toward them.
—Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for significant other
Cite this Entry
“Significant other.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/significant%20other. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
significant other
noun
significant oth·er
-ˈət͟h-ər 
: a person who is important to one's well-being
especially
: a spouse or one in a similar relationship
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share