spouse
SPOWSS
/spaʊs/
A husband or wife, considered in relation to their partner.
A gender-neutral and formal term often used in legal documents, insurance forms, and professional settings.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'sponsus' (groom) or 'sponsa' (bride), from 'spondere', meaning 'to pledge' or 'to promise'. A spouse is literally the person to whom you have been pledged.
Word relationships
- partner: Partner is broader and can include unmarried couples; spouse specifically implies marriage.
- better half: Informal and slightly old-fashioned.
Commonly confused with
- fiancé: A fiancé is someone you are engaged to; a spouse is someone you are married to.
Word family
- spousal (adjective): Relating to a spouse.
Collocations
- surviving spouse
- prospective spouse
- dependent spouse
Example sentences
- "The company's health insurance plan covers both the employee and their spouse." A legal or corporate policy.
- "It is important to maintain a sense of individuality even after you have a spouse." General social advice.
Memory hook
Spouse = S-Pledge (Solemn Pledge). The person you 'spond' (pledge) to.
When not to use
Can sound a bit cold or clinical in a romantic conversation (e.g., 'I love you, my spouse').
Fun facts
- The word 'respond' comes from the same root—it means to 'pledge back'.
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