The spouse meaning is simple: your spouse is the person you are married to, whether that is your husband or your wife. The word does not say anything about gender, which is why official forms, contracts and benefit papers prefer it.
If a visa form asks for "spouse name", it wants the full name of your husband or wife. If you are single, you usually leave the box blank or write not applicable.
Entry at a glance
Meaning
A husband or wife; a married partnerPart of speech
Noun (plural: spouses)Pronunciation
SPOWSS, rhymes with house; some say SPOWZWord forms
spousal (adjective), ex-spouse, co-spouse (rare)Origin
Old French spous, spouse, from Latin sponsus and sponsa, a promised bridegroom and brideClose words
husband, wife, partner, better half (informal)Register
Formal and neutral; common in law, HR and government forms
Spouse meaning and why forms love the word
To define spouse in one line: one of the two people in a marriage. Any legal definition of spouse starts there. That is the whole meaning of spouse. Because it fits any married person, it saves writers from listing "husband or wife" again and again. Employers use it for health cover, banks use it for joint accounts, and immigration offices use it for family visas.
The word is about marriage specifically. Someone you live with but have not married is usually called a partner, though some laws and companies give unmarried couples similar rights under labels like domestic partner or civil partner.
Spouse in sentences
- Employees may add a spouse and children to the company health plan.
- Please bring your spouse's passport to the visa appointment.
- The dinner invitation says guests may bring a spouse or a friend.
- My cousin's spouse is a nurse who works night shifts.
- After the funeral, the surviving spouse handled the bank paperwork.
A spouse definition rooted in a promise
English borrowed spouse around the thirteenth century from Old French spous (husband) and spouse (wife). These go back to Latin sponsus and sponsa, meaning a man or woman who has been promised in marriage, from the verb spondere, to pledge. The same Latin root gives English espouse, which now means to support a cause, and sponsor, someone who makes a pledge on another's behalf.
Word forms and common pairings
- Spousal describes anything to do with a spouse: spousal benefits, spousal consent, spousal support.
- Surviving spouse is the husband or wife left after the other dies, a phrase common in wills and pension rules.
- Ex-spouse or former spouse refers to someone you were married to before a divorce.
- Trailing spouse is an informal term for someone who moves to a new city or country because of a husband's or wife's job.
- Spouse visa is a visa granted to the married partner of a citizen, resident or worker.
Spouse, partner, husband and wife
| Word | Married? | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse | Yes | Forms, law, formal writing, gender-neutral talk |
| Husband or wife | Yes | Everyday speech about a specific person |
| Partner | Married or not | Couples in any long-term relationship |
| Fiance or fiancee | Not yet | Someone engaged to be married |
In daily chat, most people still say "my husband" or "my wife". Calling your own husband "my spouse" in casual talk can sound stiff or jokingly formal.
Legal uses of spouse
In law, being someone's spouse can carry rights and duties. These may include inheriting property when there is no will, making medical decisions in an emergency, claiming pension or insurance benefits, and receiving support after a divorce. Some courts also recognise spousal privilege, which can limit when one spouse must testify against the other. The details differ a great deal between countries, and between states in the US. Topics like your domicile or a change of surname after marriage often come up in the same paperwork.
Small mistakes with spouse
- The possessive is spouse's for one person (my spouse's job) and spouses' for several (the spouses' lounge).
- Do not use spouse for a boyfriend, girlfriend or fiance unless a rule specifically includes them.
- Spouse is a noun. To talk about marrying someone in old-fashioned style, the verb is espouse, but today that verb mostly means to back an idea.
Family words like maiden name live alongside this one in our collection of words about people.
Frequently asked questions
What does spouse mean on a form?
It means the person you are legally married to. Write your husband's or wife's full name. If you are unmarried, divorced or widowed, the form usually asks you to leave it blank or tick a different box.
Is spouse only used for wives?
No. Spouse covers both husbands and wives. That gender-neutral quality is the main reason official documents use it.
Does a girlfriend or boyfriend count as a spouse?
Usually not. A spouse is a married partner. Some employers and governments do extend benefits to unmarried long-term partners, but they normally use another term for them.
How do you pronounce spouse?
Most speakers say SPOWSS, rhyming with mouse. A softer SPOWZ is also heard. Both are accepted.
What is the plural of spouse?
The plural is spouses, said SPOW-siz. For example, the spouses of the team members were invited to the award night.
What does spousal mean?
Spousal works as the adjective. It labels something linked to a husband or wife, such as spousal support paid after a divorce or spousal consent needed for a decision.