Alternative Words for Boyfriend/Girlfriend or Husband/Wife
Using alternatives for relationship pronouns such as "boyfriend," "girlfriend," "husband" and "wife" helps create a gay-friendly atmosphere. Androgynous pronouns convey the same message as gendered pronouns, while recognizing that not everyone is heterosexual. Validating gays, lesbians, transgenders, transsexuals, and bisexuals' relationships help make people of all orientations feel comfortable and accepted.
Here is a long list of alternative, romantic pronouns which can be substituted for traditional heterosexual-only pronouns. Keep in mind that the modifier "My" can go before most of these terms.
- Amante: Translates to "lover" in Italian.
- Mi Amante: Translates to "lover" in Spanish and Portuguese.
- Amore: Translates to "my love" in Italian.
- Mi Amor: Translates to "my love" in Spanish.
- Mon Amour: Translates to "my love" in French.
- Amoureux, Mon: Translates to "lover" in French.
- Bang pong: A Klingon term of endearment which is useful only for die-hard Trekkies.
- Bedmate: Indicates that you sleep in the same bed and hints at other things you may do together in bed.
- Beloved: Normal substitutions for spouse, but also acceptable substitutions for .
- Betrothed: Archaic for fiancé, normally used in reference to arranged marriages in royalty or the upper-class.
- Better Half: Indicates an adoring relationship, but can imply self-esteem issues.
- Bonny (or Bonnie): An antiquated, Scottish term for an attractive partner.
- Civil Partner: A stiff, proper synonym for spouse.
- Complement: Indicates a closely jointed, interconnected relationship.
- Companion: Conveys a deep sense of monogamy and enduring love.
- Couple, They Are a: Two people in any sort of relationship.
- Copilot: Indicates a long-term relationship among equals.
- Copilot to Life: A slightly more romantic version of Copilot.
- Courter: Slightly old term for one soliciting marriage. Conveys the image of a romantic, chivalrous lover.
- Crush: A superficial (but often powerful) attraction for someone.
- Darling: Normal substitutions for spouse, but also acceptable substitutions for boy/girlfriend.
- Date: Another person with whom you who have gone on several dates. May or may not indicate a monogamous relationship.
- We are Dating: Indicates two people in a romantic relationship.
- Dear: Normal substitutions for spouse, but also acceptable substitutions for boy/girlfriend.
- Destiny: conveys an enduring, pre-ordained love.
- Divine Complement. My: a perfect, destined match.
- Dream: A slightly old-fashioned synonym for a crush or infatuation.
- Endeared: A sweet term for a spouse or loved one.
- We are Entwined: Indicates a closely interwoven relationship.
- Friend Plus: A sexual partner with whom you may or may not be friend. This term implies a fear of commitment and a purely sexual, contractual relationship.
- Friend with Benefits: See "Friend Plus" above.
- We are Going Out: Two people dating each other.
- Heart's Inspiration: A romantic endearment for a loved one.
- Heartthrob: A crush or a deeply infatuated date.
- Honey(bunch): An endearing, somewhat cutsie term for a loved one.
- Fiancé: Widely used term for a person intended to marry or become civilly united.
- Flame: A crush or a lover. Conveys a sense of passion, but a lack of permanence.
- Lifemate: Indicates a stable, enduring, loving representation of a relationship.
- Life Partnership: Indicates a life-long relationship of equals.
- Loved One: A sweet romantic term for your partner.
- Love: An endearing term which may be annoying to other people.
- Love of My Life: Emphasizes the permanence, deepness and intensity of your relationship.
- Lover: Conveys a more sexual relationship, may not be appropriate in all situations.
- Match: Indicates a friendship and sense of equality in addition to a romantic relationship.
- Match Made in Heaven: A connected couple who are deeply enamored.
- Main Squeeze: Indicates a relationship, but subtly hints at an open relationship or a fear of commitment.
- Mate: Term for a spouse or loved one that hints at a solid friendship.
- Meine Liebe: Translates to "my love" in German.
- Melamin: Translates to "my love" in J.R.R. Tolkein's Elvish. Reserved for Tolkein fans.
- Muse: Pertinent only in the context if your love has offered you inspiration, normally in reference to a specific project.
- Other Half: Endearing term which conveys a more permanent relationship so entwined that you view yourselves as one entity.
- Partner: This is the most commonly used alternative, although it is ambiguous as it can refer to anything from casual dating, to a steady relationship, to marriage, to business associates.
- I am Romantically Involved/Engaged: Indicates a romantic or sexual connection between two people who may or may not be in a formal relationship.
- Romantic Partner: More specific and tender than simply "partner".
- I am Seeing Someone: You are happily in a dating relationship.
- Significant Other: a generic term for a boy/girlfriend or spouse.
- Soulmate: alternative for spouse. Conveys a long, deep, connected relationship.
- I am Spoken For: Shows to others that you are in a relationship.
- Spouse: A generic term for a husband, wife which may also be applied to a legal union partner.
- Squeeze: A term for a more casual dating relationship.
- Steady: Substitute for boy/girlfriend. Also conveys a monogamous relationship.
- Sunshine: A sweet term of endearment. Emphasizes joy and life.
- Sweet: Endearing term for a loved one.
- Sweetheart: A bit old-fashioned, but a cute alternative for boy/girlfriend.
- Sweetie(pie): A cutsie pet name for a loved one.
- I am Taken: Indicates that you are in a relationship.
- We are Together: two people in a relationship.
- Tootsie: A cutsie pet name for a loved one.
- True Love: An enduring term for deeply connected, engaged or married couples.
- Turtle Dove: A symbol of love that has become a term for a romantic, doting love.
- Twin Flame: See "Twin Soul".
- Twin Soul: The ultimate soulmate whom you have been destiny-driven to find and join.
- Valentine: A sweet term for a boy/girlfriend, crush or a date, especially pertinent for Valentine's Day or a sweet way of asking for a first date.