Spouse: Definition, Usage & Common Examples

Meaning 1：husband or wife (spouse)

spouse 🔊

/spaʊs/

Your spouse is your husband or wife, the person you are married to.

Spouse definition illustrated by a happy wedding couple exchanging rings

husband or wife 🔊

➕

/ˈhʌzbənd ɔːr ˈwaɪf/

Refers to a person's partner in marriage; the legally wedded husband or wife.

📁 Category：Social Roles 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin ‘sponsus’ (betrothed man) and ‘sponsa’ (betrothed woman), related to ‘spondere’ meaning ‘to promise’.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of ‘spouse’ as the person you ‘espouse’ or marry, sharing your ‘house’.

📖 Example

At the wedding, she proudly introduced her spouse to all the guests. 🔊 At the wedding, she proudly introduced her husband (or wife) to all the guests.

🔗 Collocations

surviving spouse – the husband or wife who remains alive after the other has died

spouse visa – a type of visa granted to a person married to a citizen or resident of a country

future spouse – the person someone is engaged to and will marry

🔄 Synonyms

husband (n.) – A married man; the male partner in a marriage.

wife (n.) – A married woman; the female partner in a marriage.

partner (n.) – A person who shares or is associated with another in some action or endeavor; often used for a member of a couple in a long-term relationship.

🌱 Derivatives

spousal (adj.) – Relating to marriage or to a spouse.

📖 Cultural Story

The word ‘spouse’ has a formal and legal connotation, often used in official documents, contracts, and legal proceedings to denote a married partner. It is a gender-neutral term that avoids specifying husband or wife, making it common in modern contexts that emphasize equality and inclusivity.