Word
significant other
Definition
compound. A person's husband, wife, or romantic partner. People often use it when they don't want to state whether a couple is married, or the exact kind of relationship.
compound. A person's spouse or established romantic partner — a deliberately neutral term that avoids specifying marital status, gender, or relationship type. Common on forms and in polite or inclusive contexts.
Examples
“You're welcome to bring your significant other to the party.”
“The invitation said each guest could bring a significant other, so Priya brought her girlfriend.”
“The company's benefits policy was rewritten to cover an employee's significant other, whether or not the couple had chosen to marry.”
Examples
simple
“You're welcome to bring your significant other to the party.”
contextual
“The invitation said each guest could bring a significant other, so Priya brought her girlfriend.”
complex
“The company's benefits policy was rewritten to cover an employee's significant other, whether or not the couple had chosen to marry.”
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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