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

Others don't like the implication that the event is somehow a ruse to meet a significant other, rather than a way to just meet people in general. — Gili Malinsky, CNBC, 8 Nov. 2026

Godspeed to those who are trying to hide expenses with their significant other until the next credit card statement hits your inbox. — Trey Wallace Outkick, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2026

Allen’s teammates and their significant others were also in attendance, as shown in a post shared by DJ Moore’s wife Raven. — Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2026

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

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