[People who are not married] Your [boyfriend] or [girlfriend] is someone with whom you are having a romantic relationship. People who are having a romantic relationship are often referred to as a [couple]. Why don’t we invite the couple next door round for a drink?
If you are having a relationship but are not married and you [live together], the word [partner] is often used to describe your boyfriend or girlfriend. Have you met my partner, Tom?
[Lover] can be used by people in romantic relationships. It is more common to use [girlfriend], [boyfriend] or [partner] in everyday conversation.
If a couple are [engaged], they have formally agreed to marry. The person to whom you are [engaged] is your [fiancé] (male) or your [fiancée] (female).
A [single parent], or [single mother/father] or a [lone parent] is someone who has a child but does not live with a husband,wife or partner. There are plans to help single mothers back into work.
[People who are married] Two people who are married are also referred to as a [couple]. In formal or legal contexts, a person’s husband or wife is their [spouse]. This travel insurance covers both spouse and dependent children.
[If a relationship ends] If someone’s husband or wife has died, they are a [widow](female) or a [widower] (male), and the dead person is referred to as their [late husband/wife].
If a relationship ends you can say the two people have [broken up] or they have [split up].A previous partner can be an [ex-boyfriend] or [ex-girlfriend].If you were married to them, they are your [ex-husband] or [ex-wife].These ‘ex’words can all be shortened informally to just ‘[ex]’. I hear my ex has moved in with his new girlfriend. If a married couple [separate] they stop living together, sometimes as part of a legal arrangement. This might be a [trial separation] (a period of separation to find out if the couple want to separate permanently). If the couple [divorce], they end their marriage through a legal process. They are then both [divorced].
[A new marriage] If one of your parents marries again you have a [stepmother] or [stepfather] and you become a [stepson] or [stepdaughter]. If your [stepmother] or [stepfather] already has children these become your [stepbrothers] or [stepsisters]. If one of your parents has another child with a new husband or wife, this is your [half-brother] or [half-sister].
