words...

I like partner. To me it rings true for what my partner and I have. When my straight friends express envy about our relationship--and they often do--what they generally say is that my partner and I seem like we have a real equal partnership and that they wish their marriages were more like that. My partner and I are getting married this autumn and when we do, while I suppose I may use "husband" slightly more than I do now, I think that "partner" will remain my favored term.

 

To each their own, boyfriend seems fine to me I used to think boyfriend/girlfriend had some sort of age expiration but I've heard it more commonly in the last few years to my age range and above so it doesn't strike me as out of place.

Partner is different to me as I've owned/operated businesses for years often with a business partner so it naturally leads to more of a business type feeling when heard as opposed to romantic.

I like significant other or the Neil Patrick Harris commonly used "better half" while a bit self deprecating I think with humour it gets the point across.

 

In French, it is "petite amie" for a female and "petit ami" for a male. So you could just always tell people, "Say hello to my little friend."

 

Partner or husbear. I don't have a problem with boy/girlfriend

 

We've been together for 11 years and quite frankly, neither my partner nor I are boys anymore, so I tend to avoid the term "boyfriend".

I like partner -- it's a mature description that seems to emphasise how far we have come over the last 11 years. In actual fact, my partner is my fiance and in a few weeks time he will be my husband, but I may continue to refer to him as my partner, save for the most formal of circumstances. I don't know, we shall see.

 

If you're in the dating stages, I don't see any issue with bf/gf. Although I suppose I get your point about age and adulthood. I've heard adults use guy-friend/lady-friend. I don't hear paramour...but it's not a bad adult word, if you feel the need for one.

For long committed relationships, I agree 100% with OGS about "partner". All of the husband/wife language that I hear bandied about in the LGBT community (regardless of actual marital status) sounds so dominance/submission-oriented...I mean, the origins of marriage were all about property ownership/transferal. That applies to many couples, and I don't mind them using it.

But the incredible, functional, egalitarian, long-lasting relationship I have with my significant other involves making all major decisions jointly, sharing finances and contributing to income, sharing a living space and responsibilities, sharing in virtually every sense...I think the word "partners" describes us better than it describes *business partners*!

I'd say if you don't like the business associations with the word, then expand your mind a bit, and stop associating it strictly with business arrangements.

 

Lol it's not about expanding my mind. I get what other people are going for with it and have no problem with however anyone wants to refer to the person they're with, it's just how it rings in my ear. To me personally it draws more to association than something intimate that's just personal opinion and no comment how it rings in anyone else's ear.

 

I agree with bf/gf and find it lacking. We are of the sentimental sort and use pet names and metaphors often. If people find it sickeningly sweet or whatever that's their hangup.

 

I will much Prefer the term "husband"! And I agree the terminology being used is a bit conventional. I do not like Partner because I view it more as a compromise from pre Marriage Equality era (I hope I do not offend); and just the same "Fiancé" seems a bit to traditional as well.

 

Well, let me be clear, too. I don't believe "partner" is accurate or appropriate for everyone.

For some, it *would* only be indicating association. If what you have is a sexual association, or an intimate association, then using the word "partner" is a bit shallow, and does justice neither to your relationship nor to the concept of partnership.

I've known many married persons (mostly straight but also same-sex) who do not have a partnership in any sense that I could be comfortable with. It is a marriage. They are tied. And I think husband/wife language is fine for them...accurate...but the relationship gives me the creeps is all. But if they're happy, all is well...my creeps are my issue.

I've also known business partners who do not act like partners in any real sense...I think such people (and this applies to many married people as well) should consider using language like "contractually obligated pair". In business such people use the word "partner" because it sounds friendlier...but it's not accurate (in business, they don't care as much about accuracy as marketability).

Most honest thing I've heard of was the wife of someone my partner used to work for. The guy was a total idiot and a bit of a jerk. When my partner met his wife, she introduced herself as "hi, I'm the woman who is married to __________". LOL, perfect accuracy!

 

A lot of people are fond of the phrase 'Significant Other', but it doesn't really appeal to me very much.
I know some people just refer to them as an endearing term.
(Eg: "This is my darling Emma", "This is my sweetheart", "My sweetheart, Eli says..." etc etc etc)

 

Nobody can express in one word what their love means for the other person. And a word can mean different things for different people. I don't think you should be hung up on this.

 

"Mi Amor" seems to work for me

 

they all have different connotations. There is a place for boyfriend as well. After all, a boyfriend may not be a true partner nor a confidante nor soul mate nor love object. The term is more vague and suggests less commitment.

 

I've only ever had a Bromance, not a boyfriend.

 

Best friend and soul mate …would do for me. Guess its not what you call them to others but what you call them when you speak to them directly? How about "i love you"?

 

Hi Electra.
Someone saying "I Love you" doesn't mean much. People say it all the time & often don't really mean it when they say it.

 

I've never warmed up to the word "partner," either. I've always thought of a partner as someone in a business situation. "Lover" sounds archaic. I tend to think of D. H. Lawrence's novel "Lady Chatterley's Lover."

I tend to use "significant other" because, depending on the delivery, it can sound formal and respectful or it can sound casual. It's kind of lengthy. I'm at a loss for a good word. Someone needs to come up with one.

 

For someone with whom I am in a commuted relationship, I think significant other works well. It is neither too formal as is partner or as childish as boy friend. I like Jack I Think's contribution of "petit ami" is charming , but it may be a tad precious to American ears. Everything else I like refers to a marriage. Of course, "husbear," has a personal appeal to me, but there needs to be a ring on my finger, a rector, and an altar.