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

Half the people here are writing for and/or directing their significant other. — Mikey O'Connell, HollywoodReporter, 15 June 2026

King noted that Brown's significant other is a fellow celebrity. — Edward Segarra, USA Today, 1 July 2026

My significant other of 16 years is fighting cancer. — Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 14 June 2026

This isn't intended to be a trauma dump, inspire jealousy, or make your significant other act as your therapist. — Sabrina Romanoff, CNBC, 29 June 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