significant other
Americannoun
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significant others
plural
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Sociology. a person, as a parent or peer, who has great influence on one's behavior and self-esteem.
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a spouse or cohabiting lover. SO, S.O.
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
If you’re invited somewhere with your significant other, do as New York ceramist Shane Gabier does and get two bottles of wine—a gesture more generous than showing up with just one.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 14, 2026
However, if you don’t have a significant other who relies on your income and you do have enough savings and no debts, it may be less useful.
From MarketWatch ● May 6, 2026
Participants also answered questions about how satisfied they felt with their spouse or significant other, how much conflict they experienced in communication, and how confident they were that their relationship would last.
From Science Daily ● Feb. 14, 2026
When the family goes, it’s my wife and I, four kids, the kids have two husbands and a significant other, and three grandkids, so that’s 12 around the table.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 5, 2025
For instance, students were told they’ve received a text from their significant other.
From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
