spouse
marriage partner
[C] Countable
pl: spouses
This term is a neutral, clinical, or legal descriptor used to avoid specifying gender. While husband and wife carry traditional social and emotional weights, this word focuses on the legal status of the relationship. It is frequently found in official documents, insurance forms, and formal introductions.
In casual conversation, using this word can sometimes feel overly stiff or detached. People typically prefer more intimate terms like partner or the gender-specific titles unless they are intentionally being inclusive or filling out a government application.
Used to count the individual people who are married, such as referring to the spouses of all the employees at a company party.