wife-to-be
|wife/to/be|
B2
🇺🇸
/waɪf tuː biː/
🇬🇧
/waɪf tə biː/
future spouse
Etymology
Etymology Information
'wife-to-be' originates from the English word 'wife' combined with the phrase 'to be', indicating a future state of being married.
Historical Evolution
The term 'wife-to-be' evolved from the Old English word 'wīf', meaning 'woman' or 'wife', combined with the future tense expression 'to be'.
Meaning Changes
Initially, 'wife' simply meant 'woman', but over time it evolved to specifically mean 'a married woman', and 'wife-to-be' came to mean 'a woman who is engaged to be married'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a woman who is engaged to be married; a fiancée.
She introduced her as his wife-to-be at the party.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:45