wife

wife

wife [wife wives]   [waɪf]    [waɪf]  noun (pl. wives   [waɪvz]  ;   [waɪvz]  )
the woman that a man is married to; a married woman
• the doctor's wife
• She's his second wife.
• an increase in the number of working wives
see also  fishwife, housewife, midwife, trophy wife, see husband and wife at  husband  _n., an old wives' tale at  old, (all) the world and his wife at  world  
Word Origin:
Old English wīf ‘woman’, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch wijf and German Weib.  
Collocations:
Marriage and divorce
Romance
fall/be (madly/deeply/hopelessly) in love (with sb)
be/believe in/fall in love at first sight
be/find true love/the love of your life
suffer (from) (the pains/pangs of) unrequited love
have/feel/show/express great/deep/genuine affection for sb/sth
meet/marry your husband/wife/partner/fiancé/fiancée/boyfriend/girlfriend
have/go on a (blind) date
be going out with/ (especially NAmE) dating a guy/girl/boy/man/woman
move in with/live with your boyfriend/girlfriend/partner
Weddings
get/be engaged/married/divorced
arrange/plan a wedding
have a big wedding/a honeymoon/a happy marriage
have/enter into an arranged marriage
call off/cancel/postpone your wedding
invite sb to/go to/attend a wedding/a wedding ceremony/a wedding reception
conduct/perform a wedding ceremony
exchange rings/wedding vows/marriage vows
congratulate/toast/raise a glass to the happy couple
be/go on honeymoon (with your wife/husband)
celebrate your first (wedding) anniversary
Separation and divorce
be unfaithful to/ (informal) cheat on your husband/wife/partner/fiancé/fiancée/boyfriend/girlfriend
have an affair (with sb)
break off/end an engagement/a relationship
break up with/split up with/ (informal) dump your boyfriend/girlfriend
separate from/be separated from/leave/divorce your husband/wife
annul/dissolve a marriage
apply for/ask for/go through/get a divorce
get/gain/be awarded/have/lose custody of the children
pay alimony/child support (to your ex-wife/husband) 
Example Bank:
• His long-suffering wife had to put up with his numerous affairs.
• His wife has just given birth to a son.
• I first met my wife at college.
• Mr Thomas is survived by his wife, Muriel.
• She's a classic trophy wife— beautiful and half his age.
• The general was accompanied by his wife.
• With a dependent wife and children, he can't afford to lose his job.
• a hostel for battered wives
• At that time there was an increase in the number of working wives.

• This is my wife, Julie.