[bef. 900; ME, OE wīf woman; c. D wijf, G Weib, ON vīf]
COBUILD Collocations
wife
estranged wife
long-suffering wife
pregnant wife
second wife
Examples of 'wife' in a sentence
wife
My wife says staying in is the new going out.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
His second wife is a partner in the new venture.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The outcome was disastrous and his wife could take no more.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Perhaps his wife did know about this but chose not to share all the details at work.
The Sun (2016)
Intelligence sources say his wife is seriously ill and he has a bad back.
The Sun (2017)
He told me one day that his wife had just left him and taken his young son away.
The Sun (2016)
I also see the way men behave with me as a single woman when their wives are in the kitchen next door.
The Sun (2016)
Their wives are talking about it but not necessarily reading it.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
This woman and my wife have been close friends since they were tiny.
The Sun (2014)
Then you get married and now you have a wife to take care of.
Christianity Today (2000)
Other wives and partners have said this is to be expected.
The Sun (2014)
It confirmed her new identity as wife and mother.
Louise Carpenter AN UNLIKELY COUNTESS: Lily Budge and the 13th Earl of Galloway (2004)
What exactly does a good wife mean these days?
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
First his wife refuses to campaign with him.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
He is talking about a story claiming he ditched his wife for another woman.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
He has been married to his second wife for three years.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Husbands coaching their wives is not new.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
Talking about his wife has been searing for him.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Bear in mind that he might just be friendly and already have a partner or wife.
The Sun (2015)
The charge is over claims he avoided a driving ban by getting his former wife to take speeding points.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
I can imagine a situation where soldiers see this film with their wives.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
He plans to use some of his winnings to take his wife of 30 years on a second honeymoon.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
His second wife survives him.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
I know this friend has been stopping at ours on a regular basis, but my wife says they are just having girly nights in.
The Sun (2013)
In other languages
wife
British English: wife /waɪf/ NOUN
A man's wife is the woman he is married to.
He married his wife Jane 37 years ago.
American English: wife
Arabic: زَوْجَة
Brazilian Portuguese: esposa
Chinese: 妻子
Croatian: supruga
Czech: manželka
Danish: kone
Dutch: vrouw
European Spanish: esposa
Finnish: vaimo
French: épouse
German: Ehefrau
Greek: σύζυγος
Italian: moglie
Japanese: 妻
Korean: 아내
Norwegian: kone
Polish: żona
European Portuguese: esposa
Romanian: soție
Russian: жена
Latin American Spanish: esposa
Swedish: fru maka
Thai: ภรรยา
Turkish: karı eş
Ukrainian: дружина
Vietnamese: vợ
All related terms of 'wife'
ex-wife
a former wife
child wife
a very young wife
Dutch wife
a long hard bolster used, esp in the tropics , to support one's uppermost knee when sleeping on one's side
second wife
Someone's wife is the woman they are married to.
trophy wife
an attractive woman who is married to successful man and thought of as a trophy or as something that shows that you are successful and which impresses other people
wife-beater
a person who hits his or her wife
pregnant wife
Someone's wife is the woman they are married to.
Stepford wife
a married woman who submits to her husband's will and is preoccupied by domestic concerns and her own personal appearance
wife batterer
a person who hits his or her wife
wife swapping
the temporary exchange of wives between married couples for sexual relations
estranged wife
Someone's wife is the woman they are married to.
take to wife
to marry (a woman )
wife's equity
a wife's right to have provision made for her and her children out of her estate , without the aid of a court of equity , if her husband cannot obtain the funds
common-law wife
a woman considered to be her partner's wife after the couple have cohabited for several years
long-suffering wife
Someone's wife is the woman they are married to.
all the world and his wife
a large group of people of various kinds
tied to one's mother's (or wife's, etc.) apron strings
dominated by one's mother (or wife , etc.)
Chinese translation of 'wife'
wife
(waɪf)
Word forms:plwives
n(c)
妻子 (qīzi) (个(個), gè)
All related terms of 'wife'
my ex-wife
我的前妻 wǒ de qiánqī
man and wife
夫妻 fūqī
a letter to his wife
给(給)他妻子的一封信 gěi tā qīzi de yī fēng xìn
he is attentive to his wife
他对(對)妻子很体(體)贴(貼) tā duì qīzi hěn tǐtiē
he leaves a wife and two children
他死后(後)留下了妻子和两(兩)个(個)孩子 tā sǐ hòu liúxiàle qīzi hé liǎng gè háizi
(noun)
Definition
the woman to whom a person is married
I marrried my wife thirty years ago.
Synonyms
spouse
living with someone other than a spouse
woman (informal)
I know my woman will never leave me, whatever I do.
partner
His partner has been an important source of support.
mate
We found our ideal mates in one another.
squeeze (informal)
bride
We toasted the bride and bridesmaids.
old woman (informal)
old lady (informal)
little woman (informal)
significant other (informal, mainly US)
better half (humorous)
her indoors (British, slang)
helpmate
helpmeet
(the) missis or missus (informal)
femme
vrou (South Africa)
wahine (New Zealand)
wifey (informal)
Wag (British, informal)
related words
related adjectiveuxorial
Additional synonyms
in the sense of bride
Definition
a woman who has just been or is about to be married
We toasted the bride and bridesmaids.
Synonyms
wife,
newly-wed,
marriage partner,
spouse
in the sense of helpmate
Definition
a companion and helper, esp. a husband or wife
Synonyms
partner,
support,
wife,
husband,
associate,
assistant,
squeeze (informal),
companion,
spouse,
helper,
consort,
significant other (informal, US),
helpmeet,
bidie-in (Scottish)
in the sense of mate
Definition
a marriage partner
We found our ideal mates in one another.
Synonyms
partner,
lover,
companion,
spouse,
squeeze (informal),
consort,
significant other (informal, US),
better half (humorous),
helpmeet,
husband or wife,
bidie-in (Scottish),
M8
Synonyms of 'wife'
wife
Explore 'wife' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of partner
Definition
either member of a couple in a relationship
His partner has been an important source of support.
Synonyms
spouse,
squeeze (informal),
consort,
bedfellow,
significant other (informal, US),
mate,
better half (British, informal),
helpmate,
husband or wife,
plus-one (informal),
bidie-in (Scottish),
Wag (British, informal)
in the sense of woman
Definition
a wife or girlfriend
I know my woman will never leave me, whatever I do.