wife

noun

ˈwīf How to pronounce wife (audio)
plural wives ˈwīvz How to pronounce wife (audio)
Synonyms of wifenext
1
a
dialect : woman
b
: a woman acting in a specified capacity
—used in combination
fishwife
2
: a female partner in a marriage
wifehood
ˈwīf-ˌhu̇d How to pronounce wife (audio)
ˈwī-ˌfu̇d
noun
wifeless
ˈwī-fləs How to pronounce wife (audio)
adjective

Synonyms

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Examples of wife in a Sentence

We met him and his wife. a husband and wife who treat each other as equals in their marriage
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Bush, who died in 2018, was the wife of former President George H. W. Bush and the mother of former President George W. Bush. — Amanda Castro hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 May 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Since Gates and his former wife, Melinda French Gates, created the foundation 25 years ago, the organization has contributed more than $100 billion to global causes, primarily in health. — Alice Park, Time, 8 May 2025 One morning about a week after the sheep episode, Joe’s wife was at Andy Corner picking mushrooms for me. — Cyril E. Holland, Outdoor Life, 8 May 2025 In a May 4 post on Instagram, the ex-host sported a grayer, brunette style while riding on a lawn mower at her home with wife Portia de Rossi. — Jay Stahl, USA Today, 8 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for wife

Word History

Etymology

Middle English wif, from Old English wīf; akin to Old High German wīb wife and probably to Tocharian B kwīpe female pudenda

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of wife was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing wife

Rhymes for wife

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Browse Nearby Words

wiesenboden
wife
wife's equity
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Wife.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wife. Accessed 14 May. 2025.

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Kids Definition

wife

noun
ˈwīf How to pronounce wife (audio)
plural wives ˈwīvz How to pronounce wife (audio)
1
dialect : woman sense 1
2
: a female partner in a marriage

More from Merriam-Webster on wife

Nglish: Translation of wife for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about wife

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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