What does the term "life partner" mean to you?

[DermalPunch]

Is it absolutely a spouse? Is it the same level as a girlfriend or a boyfriend or beyond that?

[The_Shadow_Dweller]

Someone who is with us till the end.

Does not necessarily mean a spouse or a friend or a girlfriend or a boyfriend.

Althought the society has coined the term as someone who you live with for the rest of your life, and that in idel conditions would be SO. I would defer by stating that a life partner need not be someone living with us. This much I can say for now.

[The_Shadow_Dweller]

It clicked me now that, a life partner is one with whom you mentally click it the right way, and with whom you can actually work as a partner, with a formal or informal, spoken or unspoken commitment to be together for life.

Now does that need to be the spouse necessarily? I don't think so.

[maximumpower]

Life partner is usually synonymous (but not always) a spouse.
Not uncommon among those unwilling to marry.

[AmandaYVR]

Nice question. It seems to me (and I could absolutely be wrong) that this term is used when the person's relationship situation/status doesn't fit neatly into one of the other 'boxes.' Like, gays and lesbians were using this because spouse wasn't an option I guess. And then there's people who aren't married, and don't want to be, but they don't value their partner any less and want to make this clear.

"Life partner" sounds pretty heavy-duty. ? Serious I guess. But I sort of like it. I think it's trying to give a certain reverence, and I can respect that.

My husband is my spouse. It's appropriate for me to use both terms. I've often thought if we weren't married, and 'common-law' that 'boyfriend' just doesn't have the right tone. Older people, especially, do not like this term. My mother, in her 60s in that situation, sure did not. So I just started saying partner. I don't think 'husband' or 'wife' should be used without the legal contract. There should be some distinction made on those who make that legal commitment.

I'd welcome the world to try and come up with a name for a partner that is not boyfriend, girlfriend, or life partner. Something in between.

[sw1916]

It depends. At least to me. Life partner could mean wife, girlfriend, best friend. And you don’t have to have just one life partner. You can have a wife and a best friend who are both your life partners.

[Wubs3000]

Someone you grow old with and spend most of your time with. They complete you and you feel completely comfortable with them. They bring you true happiness.
Does not have to be marriage but it is something more than boyfriend/girlfriend

[Twalli]

Someone or something you have decided to spend the rest of your life with. For example a young person who gets parrot will probably have a life partner, considering those things live for about 80 years.

[Avicenna]

Someone you are committed to for life- it can be a boyfriend/girlfriend or a spouse.

[Anonymous]

The one you mean to be with for life. Even if you don't make it all the way. And treat as a spouse, or is a spouse.

[loveslongnails]

It's another term for wife or long-term permanent relationship.

[Chazmatazz269]

A partner for life. Mr. or Mrs. Right.

[Sarahplus2]

Life partner sounds like a gay relationship.

[MountAverage]

A partner you're with for many years.

[legalboxers]

a soulmate forever

[Smartman5]

My life partner is my wife.

[msc545]

It means "flavor of the month" if you are a woman.

[DermalPunch]

What's got your panties all in a twist?

[msc545]

Reality?

[DermalPunch]

😕😕😕😕🤗🤗🤗👐👐👐

[Anonymous]

Life together till we die.

[bamesjond0069]

It means you're gay and have a gay lover.

[Cubus]

Spouse

[Anonymous]

nothing

women are objects