wife

noun

plural wives ˈwīvz How to pronounce wife (audio)
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 adjective

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.
Who helped Charles understand his wife’s final moments? Alice Burton, Vulture, 14 Nov. 2024 Over the last couple of years, a male friend of ours (also married) has taken an interest in my wife. Jeanne Phillips, The Mercury News, 12 Nov. 2024 Linda Whitaker, wife of incumbent Bruce Whitaker, who termed out of the District 4 seat, is in third place. Alexcia Negrete, Orange County Register, 12 Nov. 2024 Now the wife, who is 70 and a devotee of spas and facial rejuvenation, pities her fat husband. Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 10 Nov. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near wife

Cite this Entry

“Wife.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wife. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

wife

noun
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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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