wife
A2Neutral (formal and informal).
Definition
Meaning
A woman to whom a man is married.
A married woman considered in relation to her spouse; historically, also a woman, especially an older woman.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word is a singular countable noun. Its usage is fundamentally relational, defining a woman in her marital role. The plural is 'wives'. In modern use, it is increasingly being paired with 'husband', 'spouse', or 'partner' in contexts where gender-neutral language is preferred.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The primary difference lies in certain fixed phrases or collocations (e.g., 'trophy wife' is more prevalent in AmE media).
Connotations
In both varieties, the word can carry neutral, affectionate, or, in certain feminist critiques, potentially patriarchal connotations depending on context.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[adj] wife[possessive] wifewife [prepositional phrase]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a wife beater (also a type of vest)”
- “husband-and-wife team”
- “like a fishwife”
- “to take (someone) to wife (archaic)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in contexts like 'family-owned business' or 'spousal benefits'.
Academic
Used in sociological, historical, or legal contexts (e.g., 'the role of the wife in Victorian England').
Everyday
Extremely common in personal and social contexts.
Technical
Found in legal documents (e.g., 'next of kin', 'spouse').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He wifed her in a lavish ceremony last summer. (informal, rare)
American English
- He's trying to wife her up. (very informal/slang)
adjective
British English
- They attended a wife-swapping party. (compound adjective)
American English
- He faced a wife-beating charge. (compound adjective)
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My wife is a teacher.
- He loves his wife very much.
- She has been his wife for twenty years.
- He introduced me to his future wife.
- His first wife was an artist, but his current wife is a surgeon.
- The politician's wife gave a speech on community welfare.
- The novel explores the complex dynamics between a husband and his much younger wife.
- In her autobiography, she recounts her experiences not just as a prime minister's wife, but as a diplomat in her own right.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'My WIFE makes my life complete' - both words share the 'ife' sound.
Conceptual Metaphor
MARRIAGE IS A PARTNERSHIP / A BOND. Often conceptualised as 'the other half' of a unit.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'woman' (женщина). 'Wife' specifically implies marriage (жена).
- The plural 'wives' is irregular, unlike the Russian regular plural жёны.
- Avoid the direct translation of phrases like 'the wife' as 'эта жена'; it often means 'my wife' in informal context.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect plural: 'wifes' instead of 'wives'.
- Misuse of article: 'He is looking for wife' instead of '...a wife'.
- Confusing 'wife' with 'girlfriend'.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the correct plural form?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, in a same-sex marriage between women, each partner can refer to the other as their wife. Language usage is evolving with social norms.
'Wife' specifies gender (female), while 'spouse' is gender-neutral and can refer to either a husband or a wife.
It can be perceived as outdated or limiting by some, as it defines a woman by her domestic role. Terms like 'homemaker' or 'stay-at-home parent' are often preferred as more neutral alternatives.
It comes from Old English 'wīf', meaning 'woman' (not specifically married). It is related to the German 'Weib'. The modern specialised meaning developed over time.
Collections
Part of a collection
Family Members
A1 · 44 words · Words for family, people and relationships at home.