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
In Season 3 of The White Lotus, which recently earned Goggins his first Golden Globe nomination, his troubled traveler Rick reluctantly has dinner with Gries’ Gary after their significant others Chelsea (Aimee Lou Wood) and Chloe (Charlotte Le Bon) strike up a friendship.
—
Glenn Garner, Deadline, 31 Dec. 2025
Fans reminded Mendes that her significant other is in fact a Hollywood stud, despite her nonchalance to the fact.
—Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 30 Dec. 2025
Taylor Swift is not the only pop star football superfan showing up in style to cheer on her significant other as the NFL season rumbles to a close.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 29 Dec. 2025
The mother and her significant other both work in the sheriff’s department, the agency confirmed in an email.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 13 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for significant other
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Glenn Garner, Deadline, 31 Dec. 2025
Fans reminded Mendes that her significant other is in fact a Hollywood stud, despite her nonchalance to the fact.
—Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 30 Dec. 2025
Taylor Swift is not the only pop star football superfan showing up in style to cheer on her significant other as the NFL season rumbles to a close.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 29 Dec. 2025
The mother and her significant other both work in the sheriff’s department, the agency confirmed in an email.
—Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 13 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for significant other
Cite this Entry
“Significant other.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/significant%20other. Accessed 3 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical 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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