SIGNIFICANT OTHER

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does significant other mean? 

• SIGNIFICANT OTHER (noun)
  The noun SIGNIFICANT OTHER has 1 sense:

1. a person (not necessarily a spouse) with whom you cohabit and share a long-term sexual relationship

  Familiarity information: SIGNIFICANT OTHER used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SIGNIFICANT OTHER (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A person (not necessarily a spouse) with whom you cohabit and share a long-term sexual relationship

Classified under:

Nouns denoting people

Synonyms:

domestic partner; significant other; spousal equivalent; spouse equivalent

Hypernyms ("significant other" is a kind of...):

individual; mortal; person; somebody; someone; soul (a human being)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "significant other"):

lover (a significant other to whom you are not related by marriage)

better half; married person; mate; partner; spouse (a person's partner in marriage)

 Context examples 

Clinical specialists in gerontological nursing are experts in providing, directing, and influencing the care of older adults and their families and significant others in a variety of settings.

(Gerontological Nurse Specialist, NCI Thesaurus)