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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
While attending the red carpet premiere for Max's The Girls on the Bus in New York City on Tuesday, the Riverdale alum, 52, chatted with PEOPLE about his Christmas vacation with his family of five, where his kids brought their significant others.
—Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 13 Mar. 2024
Gerber: Some younger significant others deserve treats, too.
—Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2024
In many cases, handing over a password will give your significant other access to years of sensitive information.
—Heather Kelly, Washington Post, 14 Feb. 2024
Now, with their significant others starting to get suspicious, the three amigos decide to hire an actor to play their imaginary friend.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 6 Mar. 2024
Other TikTok users chimed into the conversation sharing similar stories of them taking things back after breaking up with their significant other.
—Jordan Greene, Peoplemag, 28 Feb. 2024
Maybe a coworker got dumped by their significant other.
—Todd Nordstrom, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024
The Kia was registered to Thomas and his significant other, out of a home on the 5000 block of Ranch Hollow Way in Antioch.
—Nate Gartrell, The Mercury News, 19 Feb. 2024
For those looking to have a fun time with their significant other while also fulfilling the Ash Wednesday requirements, here are some Kentucky restaurants with seafood options to consider:
Lexington
Smithtown Seafood: Located at 501 W. 6th St. in Lexington.
—Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 1 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'significant other.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1940, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of significant other was
in 1940
Dictionary Entries Near significant other
Cite this Entry
“Significant other.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/significant%20other. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.
Medical 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
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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