significant other

noun

: a person who is important to one's well-being

especially : a spouse or one in a similar relationship

Synonyms of significant other

• partner
• spouse
• better half
• husband

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

Team owner James Dolan promised rings to the players' significant others as well, highlighting that the support and sacrifices of the players' partners during last season's playoffs were vital to securing the title. — Otis Livingston, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026

Mercury in Scorpio, on the other hand, could make conversations with a significant other or close friend feel emotionally loaded, while Saturn retrograde hints that old, unspoken worries are surfacing. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 9 Oct. 2026

Let this serve as your reminder that a sweet-smelling scented candle makes a lovely present for just about any favorite coworker, significant other, your votive-loving mom, or yourself. — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 7 Oct. 2026

He was arrested several times over domestic violence allegations, and served 33 days of a 45-day jail sentence after pleading no contest in 2021 to two felony counts of injuring a significant other, Panettiere. — Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1940, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for significant other

• another
• godmother
• grandmother
• stepbrother
• stepmother
• brother
• mother
• nother
• smother
• souther

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