spouse
B2Formal, neutral, legal, official.
Definition
Meaning
A person's husband or wife.
A partner in a marriage or a long-term, legally recognised relationship; used formally or in legal/official contexts to refer to one's married partner without specifying gender.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is gender-neutral and formal. In everyday speech, people more commonly use "husband" or "wife." It can feel impersonal. It always refers to a legally married partner in contemporary standard usage, though it is sometimes extended to long-term domestic partners in certain legal contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Slightly more common in American English in formal/official contexts (e.g., tax forms, HR documents).
Connotations
In both varieties, it carries connotations of formality, legality, and officialdom. It is neutral but impersonal.
Frequency
More frequent in written, legal, and administrative texts than in casual spoken language in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[possessive] spouse (e.g., my spouse)spouse of [NP] (e.g., spouse of the deceased)spouse to [NP] (archaic/formal, e.g., spouse to the king)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “my better half”
- “ball and chain (slang, humorous/derogatory)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in HR for benefits, insurance, and policies (e.g., 'Spouse coverage is included in the health plan.').
Academic
Used in sociology, demography, and law studies (e.g., 'The study analysed the economic behaviour of the surviving spouse.').
Everyday
Used in formal conversation or when gender is unspecified/irrelevant (e.g., 'I'll need to discuss this with my spouse.').
Technical
Standard in legal, tax, immigration, and census documents (e.g., 'List your spouse's annual income.')
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- (Archaic) He was to spouse the lady at the chapel.
American English
- (Archaic) She will spouse him in the autumn.
adjective
British English
- Spousal consent is required for the procedure.
- They sought spousal support after the divorce.
American English
- The form requires your spousal information.
- She applied for spousal benefits.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My spouse is a teacher.
- She loves her spouse very much.
- Please bring your spouse to the company dinner.
- I need to ask my spouse before we make plans.
- The insurance policy covers you and your spouse.
- His spouse is originally from Canada.
- The law grants certain inheritance rights to the surviving spouse.
- Her research focuses on the economic dependency of the non-working spouse.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a SPOUSE as the person you make a proUSE to share your life with. It also rhymes with 'house' – the place you likely share.
Conceptual Metaphor
MARRIAGE IS A LEGAL/CONTRACTUAL UNION (hence the formal term 'spouse').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using 'spouse' in informal contexts where 'муж' or 'жена' would be used. Use 'husband' or 'wife' instead. 'Супруг(а)' is the direct translation but is also formal in Russian.
- Do not confuse with 'партнёр' which can mean business partner. 'Spouse' is specifically a marital partner.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'spouse' in casual chat where 'husband/wife' is more natural (e.g., 'This is my spouse, Mark' can sound oddly formal).
- Pronouncing it as /spəʊz/ (like 'pose') instead of /spaʊs/ (like 'house').
- Using it to refer to an unmarried long-term partner in standard formal contexts (e.g., on official forms).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'spouse' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in contemporary standard English, 'spouse' specifically refers to a legally married husband or wife. It is not typically used for unmarried partners, though some legal jurisdictions may extend the term in certain contexts.
Yes, 'spouse' is gender-neutral and applies equally to husbands and wives in same-sex marriages where such marriages are legally recognised.
No, it is not wrong. 'Husband' and 'wife' are the more common, specific, and less formal terms for everyday use. 'Spouse' is preferred when you want to be gender-neutral or are in a formal/official context.
'Spouse' implies a legal marriage. 'Partner' is broader and can refer to someone in a long-term relationship, whether married or not, and is also common in both formal and informal contexts. 'Partner' can sometimes be ambiguous.