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

Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey is joined by his wife, Cindy Stortzum, after his primary election victory on June 28, 2022 at Thelma Keller Convention Center in Effingham. — Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2026

He is survived by his wife, four children and two grandchildren, Isabella and Edward. — Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2026

His wife, Erika Donalds, is a prominent champion for charter schools, a sector backed by billionaire mega-donors like finance moguls Ken Griffin and Jeff Yass, who offer bottomless pockets for future political races. — Michael Van Sickler, Miami Herald, 4 Nov. 2026

Daniela Morera, Bellotti’s wife, remembers Lagerfeld encountering Kee’s samples through her husband. — Luke Leitch, Vogue, 3 Nov. 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