spouse

[ noun spous, spouz; verb spouz, spous ]

/ noun spaʊs, spaʊz; verb spaʊz, spaʊs /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR spouse ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

either member of a married pair in relation to the other; one's husband or wife.

verb (used with object), spoused, spous·ing.

Obsolete. to join, give, or take in marriage.

Nearby words

spotter, spottie, spotty, spousal, spousally, spouse, spout, spout cup, spouted, spouting, spp.

Origin of spouse

1150–1200; (noun) Middle English < Old French spous (masculine), spouse (feminine) (aphetic for espous, espouse) < Latin spōnsus, spōnsa literally, pledged (man, woman) (noun uses of past participle of spondēre to pledge), equivalent to spond- verb stem + -tus, -ta past participle suffix; (v.) Middle English spousen < Old French esp(o)user; cf. espouse

Related forms

spouse·hood, nounspouse·less, adjectiveun·spoused, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for spouse

Otherwise, he decides whether or not to perform a wedding based on how comfortable he feels with the spouse on the outside.
Saying Yes to the Dress—Behind Bars|Caitlin Dickson|December 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Well, that is very beneficial to the spouse who has a new job in LA, but detrimental to the one who left a job in New York.
Is Alimony Anti-Feminist?|Keli Goff|August 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
One can only imagine the reaction had a GOP operative made the exact same slur against the spouse of a Democratic candidate.
In Kentucky, Elaine Chao Endures Racist Attacks From Liberals|Ron Christie|August 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
My present—and it is to be hoped permanent—wife is not off pursing a spouse more to her liking.
What Did TJ Mean By “Pursuit of Happiness,” Anyway?|P. J. O’Rourke|June 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Less surprising perhaps that the death of a spouse or close family member also rank so highly.
Psychologists View Both Divorce and Marriage as Major Life Stresses|Emma Woolf|May 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Mr. Hartland was every thing which a reasonable woman could desire in a spouse, and accordingly his suit was not rejected.
Tales of My Time, Vol. 1 (of 3)|William Pitt Scargill
What train of curses that base brood pursues, When the young nephew weds old uncle's spouse.
Bride of Lammermoor|Sir Walter Scott
To this summons a most horrible "maid" responded, and to her were consigned Georgina and her spouse.
Humorous Readings and Recitations|Various
Conviction prior to marriage by either party of felony or infamous crime, unknown to the other spouse.
Marriage and Divorce Laws of the World|Hyacinthe Ringrose
Despite her spouse's hints, Blossom never lost faith in Pershing.
The Sin of Monsieur Pettipon|Richard Connell

British Dictionary definitions for spouse

spouse

noun (spaʊs, spaʊz)

a person's partner in marriageRelated adjective: spousal

verb (spaʊz, spaʊs)

(tr) obsolete to marry

Word Origin for spouse

C12: from Old French spus (masculine), spuse (feminine), from Latin sponsus, sponsa betrothed man or woman, from spondēre to promise solemnly

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012