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What is the difference between spouse and wife?

spouse | wife |

Wife is a synonym of spouse.

Wife is a hypernym of spouse.



As nouns the difference between spouse and wife

is that spouse is a person's husband or wife while wife is a married woman, especially in relation to her spouse.

As a verb spouse

is to wed; to espouse.

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

    *

    wife

    English

    Noun

    (wives)
  • A married woman, especially in relation to her spouse.
  • My wife and I have decided to have a baby.
  • * (The Fisherman and His Wife)
  • * , chapter=10
  • , title= The Mirror and the Lamp , passage=It was a joy to snatch some brief respite, and find himself in the rectory drawing–room. Listening here was as pleasant as talking; just to watch was pleasant. The young priests who lived here wore cassocks and birettas; their faces were fine and mild, yet really strong, like the rector's face; and in their intercourse with him and his wife they seemed to be brothers.}}
  • The female of a pair of mated animals.
  • Usage notes

    Although not common, wife'' can be used with ''the to indicate one's own wife. For instance, "I'd like to go, but the wife wants me home." More commonly, "my wife".

    Synonyms

    * (married woman) better half, life partner, little woman (slang), partner, significant other, spouse * See also

    Antonyms

    * (married woman) husband, were (obsolete)

    See also

    * uxorial

    Derived terms

    (Terms derived from the noun "wife") * (From woman) alewife * (partner) co-wife * (partner) ex-wife * (woman) fishwife * (woman) goodwife * (partner) housewife * (partner) huswife * (partner) man and wife/I now declare you man and wife * (woman) midwife * (woman) old wife/old-wife/oldwife * (woman) pudding-wife * seawife * sister-wife * spaewife * (partner) trophy wife * (partner) wife-beater * (woman/partner) wifehood * (partner) wifeless * (woman) wifely * (partner) wifey (wife)

    See also

    * (wikipedia "wife")

    References

    *

    Statistics

    * 1000 English basic words ----