spouse

¹spouse

noun \ˈspau̇s also ˈspau̇z\

Definition of SPOUSE

: married person : husband, wife

— spou·sal \ˈspau̇-zəl, -səl\ adjective

Examples of SPOUSE

1. my brothers and sisters and their spouses
2. <employees and their spouses are covered by the health plan>

Origin of SPOUSE

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: 13th century

Related to SPOUSE

Synonyms: better half, consort, mate, partner, significant other

Related Words: soul mate; domestic partner; bridegroom, groom, hubby, husband, man, mister, old man; bride, helpmate, helpmeet, lady, wife

Near Antonyms: ex; single; bachelor; bachelorette, maid, maiden, spinster

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Rhymes with SPOUSE

blouse, bowse, browse, douse, dowse, drowse, house, mouse, rouse, touse