significant other
noun
: a person who is important to one's well-being
especially
: a spouse or one in a similar relationship
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
So the sport that always seems to capture America’s attention every Winter Olympiad is a great place to meet a significant other or bring your romantic partner to throw stones down a sheet of ice, and have a blast while doing it.
—
Mark Billingsley, Sacbee.com, 20 Feb. 2026
Pisces tend to fully dedicate themselves to a significant other early on.
—Olivia Munson, USA Today, 19 Feb. 2026
At the event Saturday, some attendees quietly sipped coffee in anticipation, while others grabbed a friend, significant other and hit a makeshift dance floor next to the order line.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 14 Feb. 2026
Do not cheat on your significant other.
—Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for significant other
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Mark Billingsley, Sacbee.com, 20 Feb. 2026
Pisces tend to fully dedicate themselves to a significant other early on.
—Olivia Munson, USA Today, 19 Feb. 2026
At the event Saturday, some attendees quietly sipped coffee in anticipation, while others grabbed a friend, significant other and hit a makeshift dance floor next to the order line.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 14 Feb. 2026
Do not cheat on your significant other.
—Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for significant other
Cite this Entry
“Significant other.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/significant%20other. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical 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
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
