What Is The Difference Between Partner and Husband?

Nowadays, it has become quite common to use the term ‘partner’ instead of ‘boyfriend,’ ‘spouse’ or ‘husband.’ But do you know the difference between them? 

That’s what today's post is about.

We are going to reveal the differences between a partner and a husband and see how and when we can use these words.

The Meaning of The Word 'Partner'

The word ‘partner’ comes from the French word ‘partnaire’ so we can list this word as one more of the French words used in English.

Depending on the context, this word has many different meanings. Partners can be people who share common interests. Partners can also be people who are connected in business and they usually work together.

But, for us, some other meaning is important. The word 'partner' is used to describe a romantic or sexual relationship with someone.

When you use this word, you don't say exactly how serious that relationship is. It can be an open relationship, for example, but on the other hand, it can be pretty serious.

Today, people usually use the term 'partner' when their relationship is more committed.

The word 'partner' showed up around the 14th century when there was the need for the word which would describe a gender-neutral relationship.

The Meaning of The Word 'Husband'

Today, it is quite clear what the word 'husband' means. It refers to the male partners with whom women are in a marriage.

Back in the 14th century when the word started to be used, the first meaning of the word 'husband' was 'the master of the house.'

Even though back at that time women had no particular rights, that slowly started to change so the word 'partner' appeared.

The Meaning of The Word 'Spouse'

In this circle of relationships, the word 'spouse’ is equally important.

This word is used for people who are married, bound by each other by civil or customary marriage, depending on the country that considers it necessary for a couple to be spouses.

In most countries worldwide, people have to be at least 18 years old to get married. Today, marriages usually get married because of love, although there are still arranged marriages in some countries as part of the custom and traditions of that country.

After two people get married, you can use the term ‘spouse.’

Compared to the word ‘partner,’ the word ‘spouse’ is used to refer to a husband or wife, two people who are married.

To use the term ‘partner’ you don’t have to be married to him or her. You don’t even have to have a serious relationship.

What Is The Difference Between Partner And Spouse?

To better understand the whole concept of the words ‘partner’ and ‘spouse,’ let’s take a quick overview of the main differences between these two terms.

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• A spouse is a person to whom you are legally married. You share the household and duties. It is a serious relationship and commitment. This type of relationship is usually long-term.

• A partner is a person to whom you don’t have to be married. You don't even have to have a serious relationship. A partner is usually someone with whom you share the same romantic or sexual feelings. Partners mainly live together but unlike in marriage, they tend to be completely equal. This type of relationship can be long-term or short-term.

• For both terms, people can have children. In some societies, however, children who are born of unmarried couples are often rejected and marginalized.

The Difference Between Partner And Husband

Even though your partner can be your husband, the other way round isn’t necessary, or at least in today’s world.

Here’s a summary of the main differences between the terms ‘partner’ and ‘husband.’

• A husband is a woman’s spouse, a person with whom she is married. You don’t have to be married to your partner to call him this way.

• The word ‘husband’ clearly indicates the male part in a marriage, while the partner doesn’t necessarily have to be male.

• The husband is ‘the master of the family,’ ‘the householder.’ Partner, on the other hand, doesn’t necessarily have to be that.

Why Is The Word ‘Partner’ So Commonly Used?

Today’s world is all about our freedom and our decision to make choices and live our lives the way we want.

Back in the past, that wasn’t only common for women and homosexual people.

Luckily, today, the situation is completely different in most countries in the world, so even in using words we have choices.

Here are some explanations of why the word ‘partner’ is so commonly used in today’s world.

• The word ‘partner’ is gender-neutral so it is good to use it whether we talk about males or females. It is especially helpful for homosexual people and binary-gender people because this way, they aren’t bound to particularly male or female words.

• Even though using this word can refer to relationships that aren’t serious, in real situations, people usually use this word to describe their serious commitments.

• When using this term, it usually refers to the romantic relationship between two people who are together and share their lives because they want to. Some people feel when they use the terms ‘spouse’ or ‘husband’ that it somehow doesn’t include love and romance but just commitment.

• When people use the word ‘partner,’ the first thing this word implies is that they have a healthy and romantic relationship, that both of them are serious about their relationship, and that’s all that matters to them.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, it is up to you which term you're going to use to call your significant other.

If you feel like using a ‘partner’ is enough, then go ahead! In case you want to show the world that your ‘husband’ is a lovely person, we entirely support you.

What is important for you is to know to use these words grammatically and aesthetically correctly. For that, you can turn to English tutors whenever you feel you need some help to polish your language skills or simply to learn new English words that help you in every conversation.