Does Spouse Mean Married?

The English language is constantly evolving with new words. Some words become considered old fashion, while the meaning of other words become tweaked to keep up with the times.

When it comes to romantic relationships, there are many words used to label something. In the beginning, you might use a boyfriend or girlfriend to put a label on the relationship. If labels aren't your cup of tea, you can use the all-around flexible and gender-neutral term, partner.

Once things start to get more serious with the person you are romantically involved with, a ring might be involved. This ring later symbolizes your commitment to each other whether it lasts forever or not. And once you do having the big shebang complete with the cake, flowing white dress, and the tuxedo, Then the relationship labels change.

You have probably heard of many different terms that people in long-term and committed relationships use. But there's a way to weed them out and fully understand how they are used in a specific context. One of the words that we'll be exploring today is a spouse. So, does spouse mean married? Keep reading, and you'll find out!

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Marriage

Marriage is an idea of union between a man and a woman recognized by cultures all over the world. Every country has its unique way of celebrating the holy matrimony between two people. It's not just about the big party with the guests and fireworks. It is about rights and obligations being shared between two people.

To get married, two people can't just have a party and call it done. That might sound like fun and intimate to share the love with family and friends. Well, not in the eyes of the government that is. Think of it like this, you can't just immigrate to a new country because you want to. Physically, in a sense, you know that you live there and belong to a new community, but legally you don't. When you are an immigrant, you have to go through processes, such as paperwork and interviews to be legally recognized by the national government as a resident of your new country.

What is a Spouse?

You're probably wondering why I brought immigration into an article about relationship terms, it will all come full circle, bear with me here. Because government is pretty much the center of society, nothing is official until the government finalizes it. That's why when two people join in a union of matrimony, they have to obtain a marriage certificate that is officially recognized by the government.

Now, the answer to your question is that yes, a spouse does mean married. People who are married to each other are called spouses. It is also a term used on a majority of government documents. The definition of a spouse is someone that you are married to. But the word spouse also breaks down into two words; husband and wife, which you might already know are gendered for a man and a woman