better half

noun

1. a person's wife.
2. a person's husband.

better half

noun

1. humorous.
   one's spouse

Word History and Origins

Origin of better half¹

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

Expected to be a weakness, UCLA’s defense has emerged as its better half thanks largely to the 6-foot-3, 325-pound senior who has become a symbol for a team trying to persevere through a five-game losing streak.

From Los Angeles Times

Things aren’t great for the Bruins two games into Bieniemy’s first season leading an offense that was supposed to be the team’s better half.

From Los Angeles Times

The 50-year-old actor shared a post on Instagram calling Doherty “my better half of 31 years.”

From Los Angeles Times

Gage has offered his apologies to Twain for “wasting her time” when she serenaded the “Road House” actor and celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton — who was Gage’s better half ... briefly.

From Los Angeles Times

But they have plenty of time to think about how to find the necessary balance and chemistry to make the second half the better half of their season.

From Los Angeles Times