wife

wife

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Pronunciation

• [waɪf]

Syllable Breakdown:

• [waɪ]

• [w] - Voiceless bilabial approximant

• [aɪ] - Diphthong:

• [a] - Open front unrounded vowel

• [ɪ] - Near-close near-front unrounded vowel

• [f] - Voiceless labiodental fricative

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Word Form Variations

The plural form of "wife" is "wives".

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Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms

Noun:

• Definition: A woman married to a man.

• Synonyms: Spouse (female), better half, helpmate, life partner

• Antonyms: Husband, widower

Verb (archaic)

• Definition: To marry (a woman).

• Synonyms: Wed, espouse

• Antonyms: Divorce, abandon

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Examples of Use

• Books:

• "My wife and I met in college." (Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice)

• "His wife was a woman of remarkable strength and courage." (Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird)

• Newspapers:

• "The mayor and his wife attended the charity gala." (The New York Times)

• "The victim's wife is calling for stricter gun control laws." (The Washington Post)

• Online Publications:

• "How to keep your marriage strong: Tips from successful wives." (Marriage.com)

• "The surprising ways of becoming a wife changed my life." (The Huffington Post)

• Entertainment:

• Movies: "My wife is leaving me for my best friend." (The movie Friends with Benefits)

• Television: "I love my wife, but she drives me crazy!" (The sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond)

• Music: "She's my wife, she's my best friend" (The song "My Wife" by Hank Williams Jr.)

• General Public Discourse:

• "I need to ask my wife if we can go on vacation this year." (Everyday conversation)

• "My wife is the most amazing woman I know." (Social media post)

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10 Famous Quotes Using Wife

1. "A good wife is one who serves her husband in the morning like a mother does, loves him in the day like a sister does, and pleases him like a prostitute in the night." — Chanakya

2. "The man who says his wife can't take a joke, forgets that she took him." — Oscar Wilde (attributed — popular humorous quote)

3. "A wife is the joy of a man’s heart." — Ethiopian Proverb

4. "There is nothing nobler or more admirable than when two people who see eye to eye keep house as man and wife." — Homer, The Odyssey

5. "A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies." — Proverbs 31:10 (Bible)

6. "I have learned that only two things are necessary to keep one’s wife happy. First, let her think she’s having her way. And second, let her have it." — Lyndon B. Johnson

7. "A man’s success has a lot to do with the kind of wife he chooses." — Unknown (popular motivational quote)

8. "The husband who wants a happy marriage should learn to keep his mouth shut and his checkbook open." — Groucho Marx

9. "An ideal wife is any woman who has an ideal husband." — Booth Tarkington

10. "I tell my wife that everything I do is for her, but the truth is, I enjoy doing it. That’s love." — Barack Obama
    

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Etymology

The word "wife" comes from a long journey through time and language. It started way back in the Proto-Germanic language as "wībam," which simply meant "woman."

Over time, this word traveled through different languages, like Old English where it became "wīf," and finally landed in Middle English as "wif."

Interestingly, the original meaning of "wife" wasn't just about being married. It referred to any woman, whether married or not. It's only later that it became more specifically linked to a married woman.

So, while we use "wife" today to mean a woman married to a man, its journey reminds us that language and its meanings can change over time.

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Phrases + Idioms Containing Wife

Let’s explore some phrases and idioms that relate to the concept of a wife and marriage:

• "Happy wife, happy life." (This is more of a proverb, but it's a classic example of a phrase emphasizing the importance of a wife's happiness within a marriage.)

• "Behind every successful man is a woman." (This idiom, while often debated, highlights the supportive role a wife can play in a man's success.)

• "A good wife always forgives her husband, but never forgets." (This proverb, while potentially controversial, reflects the idea that wives may be forgiving but also possess strong memories.)

Phrases with Similar Meaning (using synonyms):

• "A man's best friend." (This idiom often refers to a spouse, emphasizing their close companionship.)

• "Soulmate." (This term implies a deep and profound connection, often within a marriage.)

• "Life partner." (This more modern term emphasizes the equal partnership and companionship within a marriage.)

Original Phrases:

• "To be a wife is to wear many hats." (This phrase acknowledges the multifaceted roles and responsibilities of a wife.)

• "A wife's love is a constant anchor." (This phrase emphasizes the stability and support a wife provides in a relationship.)

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Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA

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Source Information

Definition of wife from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.

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