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

If there are no daughters, the wife of the oldest living son does it. — Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026

In the late 1950s, Johnny and Vivian Cash, his first wife, along with their three daughters, moved from Memphis, Tennessee to California as the fabled singer sniffed out a potential career in Hollywood, like his contemporary Elvis Presley. — David G. Allan, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026

At the Hotel Bellagio, I was joined by a photographer, Yael, as well as a friend of mine named Belisario and his wife, Elizabeth, who had both jumped at the opportunity to enjoy the hotel restaurant’s air-conditioning. — Belén Fernández, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026

Much of the piece is simply flaunting the access (detailed descriptions of the scene as the writer, Jeremy Stern, waits to talk to Mark, or his parents, his wife) and clears his throat. — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 22 Sep. 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