Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Date: 1100-1200
Language: Old French
Origin: espous(e), from Latin sponsus 'promised (in marriage)', from spondere; SPONSOR1

spouse

 noun
     
spouse [countable] formal
a husband or wife:
Spouses were invited to the company picnic.
—spousal adjective:
spousal abuse
WORD FOCUS: married WORD FOCUS: married
single not married
divorced if you are divorced, you have officially ended your marriage to someone
engaged if you are engaged to be married, you have formally agreed to marry someone in the future
widowed if you are widowed, your husband or wife has died
be living together to be living as a couple in the same house without being married
spouse formal the person you are married to
partner your husband, wife, boyfriend, or girlfriend
marital status whether you are single or married - used on official forms

➔ See also married
Definition from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
Advanced Learner's Dictionary.
 
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