wife

noun

plural wives ˈwīvz How to pronounce wife (audio)
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 How to pronounce wife (audio)
ˈwī-ˌfu̇d
noun
wifeless adjective

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Now, Jason's wife Kylie Kelce — a star in her own right — is jumping into the family business with a buzzy new podcast. Jay Stahl, USA TODAY, 27 Nov. 2024 He was divorced from his first wife, Cynthia Powell, in 1968 and married Ono the following year. Lianne Kolirin, CNN, 27 Nov. 2024 He is survived by his wife Nancy Cocuzzo, daughter Jamie, sons Joseph and Charlie and grandchildren Caleb, James and Isaac. Jordan Moreau, Variety, 26 Nov. 2024 Abrahams is survived by his wife Nancy Cocuzzo, his daughter Jamie, and sons Joseph and Charlie. Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 26 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for wife 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of wife was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near wife

Cite this Entry

“Wife.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wife. Accessed 10 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

wife

noun
plural wives ˈwīvz How to pronounce wife (audio)
1
dialect : woman sense 1
2
: a female partner in a marriage

More from Merriam-Webster on wife

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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