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Spouse vs Partner - What's the difference?

spouse | partner |

Partner is a synonym of spouse.



As nouns the difference between spouse and partner

is that spouse is a person's husband or wife while partner is someone who is associated with another in a common activity or interest.

As verbs the difference between spouse and partner

is that spouse is to wed; to espouse while partner is to make or be a partner.

spouse

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • A person's husband or wife.
  • People should treat their spouses with respect.
  • * Spenser
  • At last such grace I found, and means I wrought, / That I that lady to my spouse had won.

    Derived terms

    * spousal (pos a)

    Verb

  • (dated) To wed; to espouse.
  • * 1819 , , Otho the Great , Act III, Scene II, verses 212-214
  • Do you stand possess’d
    Of any proof against the honourableness
    Of Lady Auranthe, our new-spoused daughter?

    Anagrams

    *

    partner

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Someone who is associated with another in a common activity or interest.
  • # A member of a business or law partnership
  • #* 1668 July 3, , “Thomas Rue contra'' Andrew Hou?toun” in ''The Deci?ions of the Lords of Council & Se??ion I (Edinburgh, 1683), page 548:
  • He Su?pends on the?e Rea?ons, that Thomas Rue'' had granted a general Di?charge to ''Adam Mu?het'', who was his Conjunct, and ''correus debendi'', after the alleadged Service, which Di?charged ''Mu?het'', and con?equently ''Houstoun his Partner .
  • # A spouse or domestic partner
  • # Someone with whom one dances in a two-person dance.
  • #*
  • He tried to persuade Cicely to stay away from the ball-room for a fourth dance.But she said she must go back, and when they joined the crowd again her partner was haled off with a frightened look to the royal circle, […].
  • (nautical) One of the pieces of wood comprising the framework which strengthens the deck of a wooden ship around the holes through which the mast and other fittings pass.
  • (Jamaica) A group financial arrangement in which each member contributes a set amount of money over a set period.
  • Synonyms

    * See also

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • to make or be a partner
  • to work or perform as a partner
  • Descendants

    * French: partenaire (g) 1000 English basic words ----