Definitions
- Referring to a person with whom one is in a romantic relationship but not married. - Describing a person with whom one works together in a business or professional setting. - Talking about a person with whom one shares an activity or interest, such as a dance partner or tennis partner.
- Referring to a person with whom one is legally married. - Describing a person with whom one has a long-term committed relationship. - Talking about a person with whom one shares a household and family responsibilities.
List of Similarities
- 1Both refer to a person with whom one has a close relationship.
- 2Both can be used to describe a romantic relationship.
- 3Both can be used to describe a business or professional relationship.
- 4Both can be used to describe a shared activity or interest.
- 5Both can be used to describe a long-term commitment.
What is the difference?
- 1Legal status: Spouse refers to a person with whom one is legally married, while partner does not necessarily imply a legal union.
- 2Gender neutrality: Partner is a gender-neutral term, while spouse implies a gender-specific relationship.
- 3Formality: Spouse is more formal than partner, which is often used in casual or informal settings.
- 4Commitment level: Spouse implies a higher level of commitment and responsibility than partner.
- 5Social connotation: Spouse is more commonly used in traditional or conservative social contexts, while partner is more commonly used in progressive or LGBTQ+ contexts.
Remember this!
Partner and spouse both refer to a person with whom one has a close relationship, but there are some key differences between the two terms. Partner is a gender-neutral term that can refer to a romantic or professional relationship, while spouse specifically refers to a legally married partner. Additionally, spouse implies a higher level of commitment and responsibility than partner, and is generally considered more formal and traditional.
