What does uxorious mean?
Uxorious is an adjective for someone—usually a husband—whose devotion to his wife is so pronounced that it can seem excessive, eccentric, or comic. It is not simply a neutral word for a loving spouse: the term traditionally implies an exaggerated, sometimes unquestioning attachment. In ordinary English, it is mostly literary, dated, or humorous, and often appears in descriptions of an "uxorious husband." The word can be affectionate when the speaker admires such devotion, but it can also be teasing or critical when affection is portrayed as costing a spouse his independence. Uxorious derives from the Latin uxor, meaning "wife," through the adjective uxoriosus, preserving an old Latin description of marital devotion. It remains useful as a vivid alternative to "doting" when a writer wants to emphasize that a spouse's attentiveness is unusually strong.
adjectiveExcessively or devotedly fond of one's wife, especially in a way considered excessive, eccentric, or comic.
- Excessively fond of or devoted to one's wife.
"Her father was so uxorious that he accompanied his wife to every appointment."
"Her father was so uxorious that he accompanied his wife to every appointment."
"The novel portrays a proud, uxorious husband who defends his wife's decisions without question."
Uxorious has a respectable Latin pedigree: its root, uxor, means "wife," and the word turns that old root into a memorable term for exceptional husbandly devotion.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does uxorious come from?
Uxorious comes from Latin uxoriosus, an adjective meaning "of or pertaining to a wife" and especially "devoted to one's wife," formed from uxor, meaning "wife." It entered English in the early 17th century with the sense of being excessively fond of one's wife. Its root survives in uxor and uxorial, while uxoriousness and uxoriously are English derivatives.
Related word forms
How uxorious is actually used
Chiefly literary, dated, or humorous. It is often mildly ironic and implies that a husband's affection is unusually strong, exaggerated, or unquestioning rather than merely affectionate.