wife
a married woman, especially when considered in relation to her partner in marriage.
a woman (archaic or dial., except in idioms): old wives' tale.
Idioms about wife
take to wife, to marry (a particular woman): He took an heiress to wife.
Origin of wife
1Other words from wife
- wifedom, noun
- wifeless, adjective
- wife·less·ness, noun
Other definitions for -wife (2 of 2)
a combining form of wife, now unproductive, occurring in compound words that in general designate traditional roles or occupations of women: fishwife; goodwife; housewife; midwife.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use wife in a sentence
He wasn’t doing any of that in the fourth quarter, his wife said.
A high school football coach had a heart attack during a game, but didn’t leave until it was done | Kyle Melnick | November 20, 2020 | Washington PostIn September, my wife, my three-year-old daughter, Jojo, and I evacuated when southern Oregon’s Almeda Fire started less than a mile from our home.
The High-Capacity Water Filter You Need for Base Camp | Joe Jackson | November 20, 2020 | Outside OnlineMy son and his wife visited us recently because a holiday visit might deliver the wrong kind of gift.
In a grim year, a November Masters is something to be thankful for | Thomas M. Boswell | November 12, 2020 | Washington PostHe changes his locks often, he explains, because Pete comes over and steals from him and his wife.
Why We Judge People Based on Their Relatives - Facts So Romantic | Diana Fleischman | November 11, 2020 | NautilusShortly after her call, the young wife and mother went for a walk and hasn’t been seen since.
Agatha Christie fans, take note: Anthony Horowitz has a clever new twist on the classic whodunit | Michael Dirda | November 11, 2020 | Washington Post
On his marriage he was compelled to give up playing in public, on account of the objections raised by his wifes relations.
The Life & Letters of Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky | Modeste TchaikovskyConcern for her physical welfare touched his wifes vanity and appealed to her heart.
Those Dale Girls | Frank Weston CarruthFor his wifes and childrens sake he is sorely tempted to commit fraud, to tell falsehoods, and obtain illicit gains.
The 'Characters' of Jean de La Bruyre | Jean de La BruyreDuring his absence, his wifes maid introduces the lover into her mistress chamber while Amelia sleeps.
The Fatal Dowry | Philip MassingerOn the second floor was a little salon which gave into his wifes bedroom, from which it formed the only exit.
The Woman Gives | Owen Johnson
British Dictionary definitions for wife
/ (waɪf) /
a man's partner in marriage; a married woman: Related adjective: uxorial
an archaic or dialect word for woman
take to wife to marry (a woman)
Origin of wife
1Derived forms of wife
- wifehood, noun
- wifeless, adjective
- wifelike, adjective
- wifeliness, noun
- wifely, adjective
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
Other Idioms and Phrases with wife
see under wives.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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