significant other

Definition of significant other

: a person who is important to one's well-being especially : a spouse or one in a similar relationship

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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 Also look out for unhealthy relationship patterns, like controlling or overly demanding partners, and help your kids steer clear of significant others who encourage risky behavior like sneaking out at night. — Dina Cheney, Good Housekeeping, "So Your Teen Is Dating — Now What? First, Try Not to Freak Out," 14 Jan. 2020 Both Ertz and Bird took to Twitter on Friday to celebrate the USWNT's victory with pictures of their significant others, Julie Ertz and Megan Rapinoe, respectively. — Alaa Abdeldaiem, SI.com, "Zach Ertz and Sue Bird in Awe of Their USWNT Stars," 28 June 2019 Aspiration found that only 60 percent of women and 52 percent of men share their salaries with their significant others. — NBC News, "I hired a 'trainer' to get my finances in shape — and this is what I learned," 6 June 2019 Typically, close friends and family members are invited to engagement parties, as well as anyone in the wedding party and their significant others. — Jill Gleeson, Country Living, "The Biggest Engagement Party Etiquette Mistakes to Avoid," 6 Nov. 2019 According to the results of the day’s unscientific Globe poll — conducted with a margin of error of plus or minus two Jell-O shots — two-thirds of women interviewed would sack their significant other to marry the six-time Super Bowl champ. — BostonGlobe.com, "Would you leave your husband or boyfriend for Brady?," 11 Oct. 2019 Express your desire to meet her significant other at some point in the future, and don't put any pressure on her regarding being invited to the wedding. — Amy Dickinson, oregonlive, "Ask Amy: Bank worker asked to ‘flirt’ with new client," 8 Jan. 2020 Repeatedly introduce your significant other as your spouse. — Dallas News, "The post-Thanksgiving blues," 6 Jan. 2020 The practice of online dating found its mainstream acceptance with websites such as Match.com and eHarmony, marketed as an alternative way for singles to meet their significant other by matching preferences such as ethnicity, location and hobbies. — Coral Murphy, USA TODAY, "Are you a Tinder or a Bumble type of person? The clichés of 'big dating'," 21 Nov. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'significant other.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near significant other

significant digit

significant other

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Last Updated

5 Feb 2020

Cite this Entry

“Significant other.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/significant%20other. Accessed 17 Feb. 2020.

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More Definitions for significant other

significant other

noun

English Language Learners Definition of significant other

: someone that you have a romantic relationship with : your husband, wife, boyfriend, or girlfriend

See the full definition for significant other in the English Language Learners Dictionary

significant other

significant oth·er | \ -ˈət͟h-ər

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Medical Definition of significant other

: a person who is important to one's well-being especially : a spouse or one in a similar relationship

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