wife

1 of 2

noun (1)

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

wifehood

2 of 2

noun (2)

wife·​hood ˈwīfˌhu̇d 

: the quality or state of being a wife

achieved the status of wifehood

Synonyms of wife

Noun (1)

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

Examples of wife in a Sentence

Noun (1)

We met him and his wife.

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Family and religion Sabio and his wife, Abigail, have five children. — Amy Delaura, The Washington Examiner, 15 Aug. 2026

My wife argues that my columns often require a great deal of editing, suggesting my East Coast dialect is often apparent. — Irv Erdos, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026

Kiser’s husband, Brady Kiser, said he had been briefly distracted while watching Trigg while his wife was away. — Shayna Jacobs, NBC news, 15 Aug. 2026

Here’s a look at a few of the WAGs — wives and girlfriends — who will be cheering on Chiefs players this season. — Kansas City Star, 15 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

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

Noun (2)

Middle English wifhod, wifhode, from Old English wīfhād womanhood, from wīf woman, wife + -hād -hood

First Known Use

Noun (1)

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