spousal

American  

[spou-zuhl] / ˈspaʊ zəl /

noun

1. Often spousals. the ceremony of marriage; nuptials.

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adjective

1. nuptial; matrimonial.

spousal British  

/ ˈspaʊzəl /

noun

1. (often plural)

   1. the marriage ceremony

   2. a wedding

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adjective

1. of or relating to marriage

Usage

What does spousal mean? Spousal means relating to or involving marriage. The word marital can often be used to mean the same thing.Spousal is an adjective form of spouse—the person who someone is 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.Spousal is used in terms referring to such relationships or situations involving them, such as spousal benefits and spousal counseling.Sadly, one of the most common uses of spousal is in the term spousal abuse, which specifically refers to abuse of the person that one is married to. (The broader term domestic abuse typically refers to abuse of someone within one’s household.)Much less commonly, spousal can be used as a noun, especially in the plural form spousals, meaning a marriage ceremony. The word nuptials means the same thing but is much more common.Example: Does this insurance plan provide spousal coverage?

Other Word Forms

• interspousal adjective
• interspousally adverb
• spousally adverb

Etymology

Origin of spousal

1250–1300; Middle English spousaille, aphetic variant of espousaille espousal

Example Sentences

The couple was embroiled in a bitter and contentious court battle over spousal support.

From Los Angeles Times

Spouses typically have to wait until their significant other collects retirement benefits in order to claim spousal benefits, but that is not the case for ex-spouses.

From MarketWatch

My wife apparently can’t do the spousal benefit because her own benefit would be higher than half of mine.

From MarketWatch

The other is spousal benefits: An individual can claim benefits on a husband or wife’s work record.

From MarketWatch

That little rumor you heard is mostly true: You can claim spousal benefits, but with a few stipulations.

From MarketWatch