wife

noun

ˈwīf 

plural wives ˈwīvz 

1

a

dialect : woman

b

: a woman acting in a specified capacity

—used in combination

fishwife

2

: a female partner in a marriage

wifehood

ˈwīf-ˌhu̇d 

ˈwī-ˌfu̇d

noun

wifeless

ˈwī-fləs 

adjective

Synonyms of wife

• lady
• woman
• spouse
• partner
• bride
• widow
• madam
• wifey
• Mrs.

Examples of wife in a Sentence

We met him and his wife.

a husband and wife who treat each other as equals in their marriage

Recent Examples on the Web

The actor and his wife, singer Dua Lipa, are frequently spotted walking their actual dog, a Labrador-Rottweiler named Golo. — Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026

That morning, David had invited his friend and fellow comedy writer, Alan Zweibel and Zweibel’s wife, Robin, to join David, his wife Laurie, and their new baby Cazzie for breakfast at the club. — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 13 Oct. 2026

While on tour last year, her drummer’s wife had lent Day her Dyson Airwrap, the six-in-one hairstyling tool that retails for a hefty $650. — Katie Bain, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2026

Cannon shares twins with ex-wife Mariah Carey, two sons and a daughter with Brittany Bell, twins and a daughter with Abby De La Rosa, a son with Bre Tiesi, a daughter with LaNisha Cole and a daughter with Alyssa Scott. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English wif, from Old English wīf; akin to Old High German wīb wife and probably to Tocharian B kwīpe female pudenda

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing wife

• estranged wife
• husband and wife
• take a wife/husband
• trad wife
• trophy wife

Rhymes for wife

• knife
• life
• rife
• strife
• afterlife
• pocketknife
• alewife
• birdlife
• folklife
• housewife
• jackknife
• midlife

Kids Definition

wife

noun

ˈwīf 

plural wives ˈwīvz 

1

dialect : woman sense 1

2

: a female partner in a marriage