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

Either way, a breakthrough with a significant other towards the end of the month could clear the air in a liberating way. —Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 21 Nov. 2025

Community can be an effective way to meet a significant other, and Gen Z is leveraging that strategy. —Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 21 Nov. 2025

When the Chiefs players and their significant others were out celebrating the Super Bowl LVIII victory in Las Vegas, a Cowboys fan joined the party. —Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 3 Nov. 2025

In previous years, the friends have even brought in their significant others to play matching characters. —Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025

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