spouse

1 of 2

noun

ˈspau̇s 

also

ˈspau̇z 

: a partner in a marriage : husband, wife

spouse

2 of 2

verb

ˈspau̇z  ˈspau̇s 

spoused; spousing

transitive verb

archaic

: wed

Synonyms of spouse

Noun

• partner
• husband
• wife

Examples of spouse in a Sentence

Noun

my brothers and sisters and their spouses

employees and their spouses are covered by the health plan

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In April 2021, Hickerson pleaded no contest to two felony counts of injuring a spouse or girlfriend and was sentenced to 45 days in jail, four years of probation and 52 domestic violence classes. — Sameen Chaudhry, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026

However, federal rules restrict recovery in some circumstances, such as when there is a surviving spouse or a surviving child who is under 21, blind or disabled, and states must have procedures for undue-hardship waivers. — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026

Verb

Over the next decade, women are expected to control nearly 95% of the $54 trillion in financial assets that gets passed down from spouse to spouse, according to research from Cerulli Associates. — Melissa Houston, Forbes.com, 23 Mar. 2026

The Selling Sunset star recently celebrated her 43rd birthday by renewing her vows to spouse G Flip in Australia, G Flip’s home country. — Sara Netzley, EW.com, 24 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French espus (masculine) & espuse (feminine), from Latin sponsus betrothed man, groom & sponsa betrothed woman, bride, both from sponsus, past participle of spondēre to promise, betroth; akin to Greek spendein to pour a libation, Hittite šipant-

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for spouse

• blouse
• bouse
• douse
• dowse
• grouse
• haus
• louse
• mouse
• rouse
• youse
• alehouse
• almshouse

Kids Definition

spouse

noun

ˈspau̇s

also ˈspau̇z

: a married person : husband, wife

spousal

ˈspau̇-zəl, 

-səl

adjective