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

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

This take on the Buddhist concept of bardo — the state between death and rebirth, often colloquially used to imply simply transition from one state to a significant other — was full of wonder. —

Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2024 Halloween is the perfect time to show off your pop culture knowledge, dress as your favorite character, force your significant other to do a couples costume or all of the above. —

Dina Kaur, The Arizona Republic, 19 Oct. 2024 When considering the solar eclipse that occurred in Libra — and your seventh house of commitments, compromise and significant others — this is a pivotal time for professional contracts and collaborations. —

Valerie Mesa, People.com, 11 Oct. 2024 The vacation continued with her kids, their significant others and Walter’s first husband, Sam Baum, in Rome and Venice, before more stops. —

Brian Anthony Hernandez, People.com, 12 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for significant other

Word History

First Known Use

1940, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of significant other was in 1940

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Significant other.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/significant%20other. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

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