wife

noun

ˈwīf 

plural wives ˈwīvz 

1

a

dialect : woman

b

: a woman acting in a specified capacity

—used in combination

fishwife

2

: a female partner in a marriage

wifehood

ˈwīf-ˌhu̇d 

ˈwī-ˌfu̇d

noun

wifeless

ˈwī-fləs 

adjective

Synonyms of wife

• lady
• woman
• spouse
• partner
• bride
• widow
• madam
• wifey
• Mrs.

Examples of wife in a Sentence

We met him and his wife.

a husband and wife who treat each other as equals in their marriage

Recent Examples on the Web

Josh Smead runs an architecture business called Liberty Design Development with his wife and hails from Liberty. — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2026

His family and authorities in the area pushed back, saying the substance in white bags was a homemade electrolyte mix his wife prepared for the work crew every day. — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 25 July 2026

The woman who called 911 was Thompson’s wife, who heard gunshots and discovered a body on the bed, the chief said. — Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 25 July 2026

Nikki Sixx receives an embrace from his wife Courtney backstage at Mötley Crüe’s The Return Of Carnival Of Sins tour in Detroit. — People Staff, PEOPLE, 25 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English wif, from Old English wīf; akin to Old High German wīb wife and probably to Tocharian B kwīpe female pudenda

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing wife

• estranged wife
• husband and wife
• take a wife/husband
• trad wife
• trophy wife

Rhymes for wife

• knife
• life
• rife
• strife
• afterlife
• pocketknife
• alewife
• birdlife
• folklife
• housewife
• jackknife
• midlife

Kids Definition

wife

noun

ˈwīf 

plural wives ˈwīvz 

1

dialect : woman sense 1

2

: a female partner in a marriage