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 of wife

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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.
His wife became Queen Mette-Marit, while his oldest child, Ingrid Alexandra, became crown princess and heir to the throne. — ABC News, 29 Aug. 2026 Joe Taunton said his wife suffered a severe leg injury and extensive internal injuries, including damage to her small and large intestines, liver lacerations and a ruptured diaphragm that caused one of her lungs to collapse. — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 29 Aug. 2026 The Golden Mean snail car came from my wife Kyrsten Mate's dream. — Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026 Kapoor’s wife, Jennie Frank Kapoor, confirmed that in a character letter filed in federal court this week ahead of her husband’s sentencing. — Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026 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 2 Sep. 2026.

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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

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about wife

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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