ex-partner

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ex-partner" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to someone who was previously in a romantic or significant relationship with another person. Example: "After their breakup, she found it difficult to move on from her ex-partner."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Qureshi: Especially your ex-partner.

The New York Times

Don't sleep with your ex-partner.

The New York Times

I admire… my ex-partner Tom Dixon.

Independent

My ex-partner was one such person.

The Guardian - Opinion

He has four children with ex-partner Jerry Hall, 59.

The Guardian - Music

Negotiations with an irate ex-partner could be very difficult.

The Guardian

Even smelling him [her ex-partner] could trigger flashbacks.

The Guardian

Lisa, Kennedy's ex-partner, said: "We are talking about degrading and inhumane treatment.

Independent

François Hollande, the party's ex-leader and Ms Royal's ex-partner, may also join the race.

The Economist

Mr Hollande, her ex-partner with whom she has four children, backs her candidacy.

The Economist

Pete Lawrence ran The Big Chill for 14 years with his ex-partner Katrina Larkin.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about a past relationship, "ex-partner" offers a neutral and clear way to refer to someone without implying any negativity or blame.

Common error

Avoid confusing "ex-partner", which refers to a former partner in a relationship, with "expat", which refers to an expatriate or someone living in a foreign country. Ensure correct spelling and context to prevent miscommunication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ex-partner" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject or object in a sentence. It identifies a person who was previously in a relationship with someone. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ex-partner" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to someone with whom one had a previous relationship, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is versatile, appearing in contexts ranging from news reports to personal discussions. While synonyms like "former partner" and "previous partner" exist, "ex-partner" offers a concise and neutral way to identify the past nature of the relationship. The term is widely used across authoritative sources like The Guardian and The New York Times, emphasizing its acceptance in formal and informal communication. Avoid confusing it with similar-sounding words like "expat" to maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Former partner

Direct synonym, emphasizing the past nature of the partnership.

Previous partner

Similar to "former partner", highlighting the temporal aspect of the relationship.

Past associate

Broader term that can apply to both romantic and business relationships.

Ex-spouse

More specific term referring to a former marriage partner.

Former spouse

Similar to "ex-spouse", indicating a past marital relationship.

Divorced partner

Indicates the partnership ended in a divorce.

One-time partner

Emphasizes that the partnership existed only for a limited time.

Late partner

Refers to a deceased partner.

Erstwhile partner

More formal synonym for a former partner.

Quondam partner

An archaic term for a former partner.

FAQs

What does "ex-partner" mean?

"Ex-partner" refers to someone with whom you were previously in a romantic, domestic, or business relationship.

Is "ex-partner" the same as "ex-spouse"?

While both terms refer to former partners, "ex-spouse" specifically indicates someone you were married to, whereas "ex-partner" is a broader term that can include unmarried relationships. You may also use similar words like "former partner".

How do I use "ex-partner" in a sentence?

You can use "ex-partner" to describe someone you used to be in a relationship with, such as: "My ex-partner and I have a good co-parenting relationship."

What are some alternatives to "ex-partner"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "former partner", "previous partner", or "past associate".