wive

“Wive” is an archaic verb with two closely related meanings: to live as someone’s wife and, by extension, to marry or take someone as one’s wife. It is now chiefly encountered in older literature, historical writing, or deliberately archaic language, rather than in ordinary contemporary English. For example, “She wived with him for many years” means that she lived as his wife. The word comes from the same historical root as “wife” and reflects an older vocabulary for describing marriage as a household relationship and social status. Although modern speakers generally use “marry,” “wed,” or “live as a wife,” “wive” remains interesting because it preserves the language and assumptions of earlier English. It should not be confused with “weave,” whose modern meaning concerns making cloth or similar material.

An archaic verb meaning to live as one's wife or to marry, especially to take a woman as one's wife.

Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.

Etymology of wive

“Wive” developed from Old English wīfian, a verb formed from wīf, meaning “woman” or “wife.” It continued in Middle English as “wiven” and survives in modern English chiefly in archaic and literary contexts. Its closest surviving relative is “wife,” along with derivatives such as “wifely” and “wifelike”; “weave” has a different origin and should not be treated as a cognate.

Related word forms

How wive is actually used

This is a rare archaic and literary verb, not a standard modern alternative to “marry.” Its uses may sound deliberately old-fashioned or historical, and context is important because the word's meaning and social associations are tied to an earlier era.

Easily confused with wive

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Rhymes with wive