spouse

1 of 2

noun

ˈspau̇s How to pronounce spouse (audio)
also
ˈspau̇z How to pronounce spouse (audio)
Synonyms of spouse
: a partner in a marriage : husband, wife

spouse

2 of 2

verb

ˈspau̇z How to pronounce spouse (audio) ˈspau̇s How to pronounce spouse (audio)
spoused; spousing

transitive verb

archaic
: wed

Synonyms of spouse

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Noun

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Examples of spouse in a Sentence

Noun my brothers and sisters and their spouses employees and their spouses are covered by the health plan
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Assets pass to a spouse and then to children and grandchildren. — Martin Shenkman, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026 Inside is a stranger whom Eden's husband claims is his actual spouse. — Janey Wetzel, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026
Verb
Over the next decade, women are expected to control nearly 95% of the $54 trillion in financial assets that gets passed down from spouse to spouse, according to research from Cerulli Associates. — Melissa Houston, Forbes.com, 23 Mar. 2026 The Selling Sunset star recently celebrated her 43rd birthday by renewing her vows to spouse G Flip in Australia, G Flip’s home country. — Sara Netzley, EW.com, 24 July 2024 See All Example Sentences for spouse

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French espus (masculine) & espuse (feminine), from Latin sponsus betrothed man, groom & sponsa betrothed woman, bride, both from sponsus, past participle of spondēre to promise, betroth; akin to Greek spendein to pour a libation, Hittite šipant-

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of spouse was in the 13th century

Rhymes for spouse

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Browse Nearby Words

spousal
spouse
spousehood
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spouse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spouse. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

spouse

noun
ˈspau̇s
also ˈspau̇z
: a married person : husband, wife
spousal
ˈspau̇-zəl, 
-səl
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on spouse

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