# wives

/ˈwaɪvz/ (US) · /wˈaɪvz/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/wives
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. plural of wife

noun · CEFR A2

more than one married woman.

For teachers: the plural form of wife, referring to two or more women in a marital relationship.

- The king had many wives who lived in the palace with him.
- In some historical cultures, it was common for powerful men to have several wives, though modern legal systems in the West generally prohibit this.

Usage: always used as the plural form of 'wife'

Teaching tip: Learners often forget the f-to-v spelling change; group this with 'lives', 'knives', and 'leaves' to help them remember the pattern.

## Examples

- The two brothers and their wives went on vacation together.
- In many modern societies, it is common for both husbands and wives to work full-time jobs to support the household.
- The historical novel explores the lives of the king's six wives, detailing the political alliances and personal tragedies that defined each of their brief reigns.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.