former wife

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "former wife" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a person's previous spouse. For example: "My former wife and I have remained on good terms since our separation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

His former wife, Francis survives.

The New York Times

He had met his former wife there.

The New Yorker

She is not; his former wife is.

The Economist

So is his former wife, Cécilia.

Independent

A former wife, now a widow.

The New York Times

His former wife, Heather Whiting, also survives him.

The New York Times

His former wife Kelly Cutrone confirmed the death.

The New York Times - Arts

Mourned by former wife Alice.

The New York Times

Former wife of Donato Diotisalvi.

The New York Times

His former wife can help there.

The New York Times

His former wife died in 2006.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Specify the timeframe or context of the relationship when relevant. For example: "his former wife from his college days" adds more information.

Common error

Avoid using "former wife" when "estranged wife" is more accurate. "Estranged" implies they are still legally married but separated, while "former wife" means they are divorced.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "former wife" functions as a noun phrase, specifically acting as a descriptive term to identify a woman who was previously married to someone. It is commonly used to provide background information or context about a person's relationships, as seen in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "former wife" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun phrase that describes a woman who was previously married to someone. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts, providing clarity about familial relationships. While "ex-wife" is a more concise synonym, "former wife" offers a slightly more formal alternative, suitable for obituaries, legal documents, and other contexts where precision is important. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the legal status of the relationship and avoid confusion with terms like "estranged wife".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ex-wife

A more concise and commonly used synonym.

previous wife

Emphasizes the temporal aspect of the relationship.

earlier wife

Similar to 'previous wife', but slightly less formal.

first wife

Specifically indicates she was the first spouse.

divorced wife

Highlights the legal status of the separation.

erstwhile wife

A more formal and less common synonym.

former spouse

A gender-neutral alternative.

once wife

Emphasizes the past nature of the marital relationship.

woman he divorced

A descriptive phrase rather than a direct synonym.

bygone wife

A poetic and uncommon way to describe a former wife.

FAQs

How do I use "former wife" in a sentence?

Use "former wife" to refer to a woman to whom someone was previously married but is now divorced. For example: "He remained good friends with his "former wife" after their divorce."

What's the difference between "former wife" and "ex-wife"?

Both "former wife" and "ex-wife" are used to describe a woman to whom someone was previously married. "Ex-wife" is a more concise and common term, while "former wife" is slightly more formal.

Is it appropriate to use "former wife" in formal writing?

Yes, "former wife" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when clarity and precision are important, such as in legal documents or obituaries. However, consider using "ex-wife" for less formal contexts.

What are some alternative ways to say "former wife"?

Depending on the context, you could use "previous wife", "first wife" (if she was the first spouse), or "divorced wife".