significant other
noun
: a person who is important to one's well-being
especially
: a spouse or one in a similar relationship
Examples of significant other in a Sentence
Before you make such an important decision, you should talk it over with your significant other.
she has threatened to divorce her significant other if he doesn't stop gambling
Recent Examples on the Web
During an appearance on Call Her Daddy Tuesday, the former child star reflected on her decision to move in with a significant other at 17.
—
Daniela Avila, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024
Healing is found in balancing your needs with those of significant others and forging deeper, more authentic connections.
—Glamour, 8 Apr. 2024
For example, the individual threatens to leave after the significant other raises their voice at them after a hectic day at work.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
People tend to focus on the initial choice of a significant other, as if responsibility ends there, when, really, dating someone new might not transform the outcome at all.
—Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2024
Controversial Behaviors: Alarmingly, 12% of respondents admitted to cheating on a significant other during a spring break trip, underscoring the complexities of vacation dynamics.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 21 Mar. 2024
The other woman told police that Jones believed the woman had been romantically involved with Jones' significant other during the summer of 2023.
—Adrienne Davis, Journal Sentinel, 24 Feb. 2024
Crawford and Rande are also welcoming to their kid’s significant others.
—Jessica Booth, Peoplemag, 18 Feb. 2024
Total spending on significant others for the holiday is expected to reach a record $14.2 billion.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 14 Feb. 2024
Daniela Avila, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024
Healing is found in balancing your needs with those of significant others and forging deeper, more authentic connections.
—Glamour, 8 Apr. 2024
For example, the individual threatens to leave after the significant other raises their voice at them after a hectic day at work.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024
People tend to focus on the initial choice of a significant other, as if responsibility ends there, when, really, dating someone new might not transform the outcome at all.
—Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2024
Controversial Behaviors: Alarmingly, 12% of respondents admitted to cheating on a significant other during a spring break trip, underscoring the complexities of vacation dynamics.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 21 Mar. 2024
The other woman told police that Jones believed the woman had been romantically involved with Jones' significant other during the summer of 2023.
—Adrienne Davis, Journal Sentinel, 24 Feb. 2024
Crawford and Rande are also welcoming to their kid’s significant others.
—Jessica Booth, Peoplemag, 18 Feb. 2024
Total spending on significant others for the holiday is expected to reach a record $14.2 billion.
—Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 14 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'significant other.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near significant other
Cite this Entry
“Significant other.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/significant%20other. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
significant other
noun
significant oth·er
-ˈət͟h-ər 
: a person who is important to one's well-being
especially
: a spouse or one in a similar relationship
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