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significant other
noun
: a person who is important to one's well-being
especially
: a spouse or one in a similar relationship
Examples of significant other in a Sentence
Before you make such an important decision, you should talk it over with your significant other.
she has threatened to divorce her significant other if he doesn't stop gambling
Recent Examples on the Web
Things often heat up on the dance floor and during a previous interview on the Trading Secrets podcast, Johnson explained how the show's dance troupe makes sure contestants' significant others feel secure with their partners being on the show.
—Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2024
In Our Little Secret, Lohan plays Avery, who has to spend the holidays under the same roof as her ex Logan (Ian Harding) after discovering their new significant others are siblings.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 21 Dec. 2024
That year's significant others, including Kanye, Lamar Odom and Scott Disick, weren't featured — and most notably, brother Rob was MIA.
—Kate Hogan, People.com, 21 Dec. 2024
For context, my significant other and I live together and are basically married, except for the piece of paper.
—Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 20 Dec. 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1940, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of significant other was
in 1940
Dictionary Entries Near significant other
Cite this Entry
“Significant other.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/significant%20other. Accessed 7 Jan. 2025.
Medical Definition
significant other
noun
significant oth·er
-ˈət͟h-ər
: a person who is important to one's well-being
especially
: a spouse or one in a similar relationship
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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