spouse

[spous, spouz, spouz, spous]

noun

1. either member of a married pair in relation to the other; one's husband or wife.

verb (used with object)

spoused, spousing 

1. Obsolete.,  to join, give, or take in marriage.

spouse

noun

1. a person's partner in marriage

verb

1. obsolete,  (tr) to marry

Other Word Forms

• spousehood noun
• spouseless adjective
• unspoused adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of spouse¹

First recorded in 1150–1200; (for the noun) Middle English, from Old French spous (masculine), spouse (feminine), shortened from espous, espouse, from Latin spōnsus, spōnsa, literally, “pledged (man, woman),” noun uses of past participle of spondēre “to pledge”; (for the verb) Middle English spousen, from Old French esp(o)user; espouse

Word History and Origins

Origin of spouse¹

C12: from Old French spus (masculine), spuse (feminine), from Latin sponsus, sponsa betrothed man or woman, from spondēre to promise solemnly

Example Sentences

After years of demanding jobs, caretaking or the death of a spouse, the volunteers say the group provides a sense of purpose and is an antidote to loneliness.

From Los Angeles Times

In 1994 - to save costs - Congress moved to limit protection for ex-presidents and their spouses to 10 years after they left office.

From BBC

Federal law only requires lifetime protection for former presidents and their spouses, as well as for their children until age 16.

From Salon

And in the 1983 purchase of house in Queens, New York, James’ father identified her as his spouse, not his daughter, on one form among others that identified her correctly.

From Los Angeles Times

Meanwhile, Taiwanese celebrities friendly to China, social media influencers and Chinese spouses of Taiwanese citizens have come under close scrutiny, with some deported or forced to leave.

From BBC

Related Words

• companion 
• domestic partner 
• husband 
• mate 
• partner 
• wife 

When To Use

What does spouse mean?

Someone’s spouse is the person who they’re married to—their partner in marriage.A spouse who’s a man is often called a husband, while a spouse who’s a woman is often called a wife. The word partner is a gender-neutral way to refer to one’s spouse. People most commonly use one of these terms when talking about or introducing their spouse, as opposed to using the word spouse. The word spouse is more commonly used in formal or official contexts, such as on forms that require family relations to be specified.An adjective form of spouse is spousal, meaning relating to or involving marriage, as in Does this insurance plan provide spousal coverage?Example: If you and your spouse file your taxes jointly, you may be eligible for certain rebates.