Definition

1. Noun:
   • One's wife: An informal, often affectionate, term for a man's wife or long-term female partner. The term is dated and can be considered colloquial or slang.

Usage Notes

• The term "old lady" is informal and its acceptability depends heavily on context and tone. It can be used affectionately within a couple but may be perceived as disrespectful or outdated by others.
• It is primarily used in casual speech.
• This term is specific; it refers to wife/partner, not to any elderly woman.

Examples

• Noun:
  • I'll have to check with my old lady before I can commit to the trip.
  • He said, "Meet my old lady," introducing his wife to the group.

Advanced Usage

• The term can sometimes be extended to refer to a man's mother in certain slang contexts (e.g., "I'm visiting my old lady this weekend"), but its primary meaning is "wife."
• It is often contrasted with the male equivalent "old man."

Variants and Related Words

• Old man (n): The corresponding informal term for one's husband or long-term male partner.
  • My old man is fixing the car.

Synonyms

• Wife: The standard, neutral term.
• Better half: An affectionate, informal synonym.
• Missus (or Mrs.): A casual term for one's wife (e.g., "the missus").

Antonyms

• Old man: When referring to a husband.
• Husband: The standard term for a male spouse.

Related Idioms/Phrases

• The little woman: Another dated, informal term for one's wife, now often considered patronizing.
• Ball and chain: A slang term for one's wife, implying she is a restrictive burden. This is almost always used jokingly among close friends but can be highly offensive.

Noun

1. your own wife
   • meet my old lady