wife

Where does the word "wife" come from? It comes from Proto-Germanic wībą, passing through Old English before entering English (1500s).

Wife’s story begins in Proto-Germanic: wībą meant “woman.” Its origin is unknown; German 'Weib' is a cousin. By 700s-1000s, the word had taken hold in Old English as wīf. Meant any woman, as it still does in 'midwife' and 'fishwife'. It reached English by 1500s as wife. Narrowed to 'married woman' during the Middle Ages. Today, wife means a married woman.

1. Stage 1 · Proto-Germanic · ancient wībą "woman", its origin is unknown; German 'Weib' is a cousin.
2. Stage 2 · Old English · 700s-1000s wīf "woman", meant any woman, as it still does in 'midwife' and 'fishwife'.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1500s wife "married woman", narrowed to 'married woman' during the Middle Ages.