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

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

To mark the beginning of the new football season, SI Swimsuit reshared photos Monday of NFL significant others who have posed for the famous swimwear issue, including Brittany Mahomes. — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 15 Sep. 2026

Meeting a significant other’s family can bring a different kind of self-awareness. — Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2026

John’s wife, Tina, and their three children and significant others are scheduled to attend Friday night’s Yankees-Mets game in the Bronx. — Ian O'Connor, New York Times, 10 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