Relating to or involving a husband or wife; connected to marriage.
From 'spouse' (married partner) + -al (suffix meaning 'of or relating to'). 'Spouse' comes from Old French spous, from Latin sponsus (betrothed person).
Legal language uses 'spousal' constantly—spousal benefits, spousal support, spousal privilege—and these terms create real-world rights and responsibilities. The word itself is neutral to gender since the 1980s, but for centuries it was male-biased, showing how language and equality evolve together.
Historically assumes heterosexual marriage and unequal spousal roles (coverture doctrine in common law erased wives' legal identity). Modern usage improved but still defaults to binary partnership model.
Use 'spouse' or 'partner' for clarity and inclusion of same-sex and non-binary relationships. When referring to marriage arrangements, specify the relationship rather than assuming gendered dynamics.
["partner","marital","conjugal"]
Women's spousal legal rights were largely won through 19th-20th century activism that overturned coverture laws; credit these movements when discussing spousal equity.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.