wive

verb

ˈwīv

wived; wiving

intransitive verb

: to marry a woman

transitive verb

: to marry to a woman

: to take for a wife

Examples of wive in a Sentence

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.

Then, her former sister wives Meri Brown and Janelle Brown both announced their separation from Kody within 14 months of Christine's departure. — Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025 During their drive, Christine, 53, spoke with David about the underlying expectations Kody, 56, once had for herself and fellow sister wives Janelle, Meri Brown and Robyn Brown. — Dory Jackson, People.com, 21 Apr. 2025 And on the scene arrives the proud Petruchio, who vows to wive it wealthily in Padua — even though Cole Porter won't compose those lyrics for another 400 years. — Tom Titus, latimes.com, 5 Apr. 2018

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English wīfian, from wīf woman, wife

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Time Traveler

The first known use of wive was before the 12th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Wive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wive. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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wive

verb

Examples of wive in a Sentence

Word History

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