What to Call Your Partner Now That You’re Engaged

What do you call the person you're engaged to? Want an another word for fiance & fiancee? 

 

Your bae, your boo, your sweetie, your significant other, your better half – you’ve called each other a lot of names over the years (and most of those names were nice). 

 

But now that you’re engaged to be married, it's time for new names that tell the world that something special has happened: someone proposed marriage and the answer was yes! It’s exciting!

 

Engagements comes with a whole new set of terminology, including new terms for each other. These terms let the world know that you’ve hit a major relationship milestone and are planning to commit to each other forever – you're getting married! You’ll use these terms when referring to your sweetheart in your engagement announcements, on social media, and when talking to loved ones and coworkers. 

 

Read Next: What to do After Getting Engaged in 20 Simple Steps

 

The terms ‘fiancé’ and 'fiancée' have been popular for hundreds of years (since the 1850s), but the f-word won’t work for everyone. And some of you might even hate these terms! Luckily, you aren’t stuck with any names you don’t like.  

 

Below are a few options for what to call ‘that person you’re going to marry’ during your engagement, including fun options for those of you looking for another word for fiance or fiancee. But remember, you can keep calling your beau whatever adorable terms of endearment you prefer, even after you’ve stepped up your commitment and have started browsing wedding magazines or searching for bridal shops  – they’ll always be your sunshine,  ‘your person,’ your love.

 

Related: 5 Great Reasons to Ask a Friend to Officiate Your Wedding

 

Two people are engaged when they've made the commitment to get married one day. Often, people get engaged with a marriage proposal, which is the romantic moment when they ask 'Will you marry me?' (Photo: Red Riding Hood / Adobe Stock)

 

 

What to Call Your Partner When You Get Engaged

 

 

• The Most Common Terms for Engaged People

 

After the proposal and before the wedding, the most common term for someone who is engaged is fiancé (for a man) and fiancée (for a woman). 

 

Fiancé: A man who is engaged to be married (a masculine term). If you’re engaged to a man or a masc person, you might call them your fiancé. Likewise, if you’re a man or masc person who's engaged to be married, you might refer to yourself this way. For example: “Brad is Gena’s fiancé,” or “Hi, I’m Marc, Erick’s fiancé!” 

 

Fiancé (gender-neutral): In recent years, ‘fiancé’ has also been used as a gender-neutral term for someone who's engaged to be married. It can be used by people of all genders, including nonbinary marriers. In many cases, the accent mark over the e is dropped (written as fiance).

 

Fiancée: A woman who is engaged to be married (a feminine term). If you’re engaged to a woman or a femme person, you might call them your fiancée. Likewise, if you’re a woman or a femme person who is engaged to be married, you might refer to yourself this way. For example: “Lisa is Mae’s fiancée,” or “I’m Brad’s fiancée, it’s so good to meet you!”

 

Prometido: The Spanish word for fiance! If you're love is bilingual, use this sweet term for your soon-to-be spouse.

 

How to pronounce fiancé?

 

Rhymes with Beyoncé! Both fiancé and fiancée are pronounced like this: "fee-ahn-say."

 

 

What is the difference between fiance and fiancee?

 

As you can see, both of these words are used to describe a person who’s engaged to be married, and they are pronounced the same way. The difference between fiance and fiancee is the gender of the person they describe: Fiancé is used for a man (or masc person) and as a gender-neutral term, and fiancee is used for a woman (or femme person). These words can be used for opposite-sex or same-sex couples; they aren’t affected by the gender of the person you’re marrying. 

 

 

What do you call a woman who is engaged? You call her your fiancée! If you want an alternative word for fiance, try 'wife-to-be', 'she-ancé,'  'partner,' or betrothed,' depending on your preferences. Keep reading to see more options! (Photo: La Famiglia / Adobe Stock)

 

 

• Other Ways to Say Fiancé: Alternative Words to Use

 

Don’t love the ‘f-word’? No problem! As we mentioned above, there are several other words for fiance that mean the same thing, but that have a different tone or feel. Here are a few fiancée and fiancé synonyms to consider. 

 

Betrothed: Another word for fiance, this is a gender-neutral and romantic term for someone who is engaged to be married. For example, “Emily is my betrothed, we plan to marry in May,” or “How long have you and your betrothed known each other?” (Using this term would be very Bridgerton of you!)

 

Intended: Another word for fiance, this is an old-fashioned term for someone who is engaged to be married, as in two people who 'intend' to get married. For example, “Max is my intended, we plan to marry next fall,” or “How long have you known your intended?” This term is gender-neutral.

 

Wife-to-Be and Husband-to-Be: If you want a term that keeps the excitement of your soon-to-be-wed status in the forefront, this is it! Common variations include ‘bride-to-be’ and ‘groom-to-be.’ These terms mean just what they say. 

 

Spouse-to-Be (gender neutral): A gender-neutral way to refer to the person you plan to marry. Try ‘future spouse’ for a common variation of this one.

Future Husband or Future Wife: This casual alternative to fiancé is a great way to refer to your soon-to-be spouse during your engagement. 

 

Partner: A gender-neutral term that can be used to describe someone you are dating, someone you are engaged to, or someone you are married to. This term is very popular, but it won’t tell people that you’re engaged. Its ambiguity is part of the charm for some couples who want to keep their relationship status private.

 

 

What do you call the person you're engaged to? It's up to you and your partner! There are lots of different ways to say, 'this is my person, and we're getting married!' If you don't like fiance, alternative words like betrothed, husband-to-be, or future-spouse can work too. (Photo:  deliris / Adobe Stock)

 

 

• Funny Alternatives for Fiancé / Fiancée

 

It’s always a good idea to keep a sense of humor during wedding planning! Playful terms for your beloved can help keep things in perspective and make your engagement more fun. Get creative, try puns, and choose the words that feel right to you. Below are a few funny alternatives for ‘fiancé’ that we love.

 

Husband-Elect and Wife-Elect: This funny term for a fiancé was suggested on Reddit a few years ago as a play on ‘president-elect', someone who has been selected for the role but hasn't been officially sworn-in yet. 

 

Pre-Husband or Pre-Wife: Post-proposal and pre-wedding, this is a funny way to refer to your partner that lets the world know they’ll be your spouse one day, but not yet. 

 

He-ancé and She-ancé: A playful alternative to fiancé that keeps the sound of the word without the seriousness. This is a great rhyming alternative to fiancé. 

 

Fiancé Knowles: Another funny Reddit suggestion, this one is a play on Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, whose name conveniently rhymes with fiancé. In the same vein, other users suggest just swapping ‘beyoncé’ for fiancé (as in, ‘he’s my beyoncé), ‘fianc-bey,’ or combining the terms as ‘feyonce.’ Take a look:

 

“We've been calling each other Beyonce instead of fiance randomly. It took the seriousness out of it for us!” (VegastoSeattle)

 

“My fiance says 'feyonce' as in rhyming with ponce.” (BooksisBack)

 

 

You and bae are now husband and wife-to-be! Congratulations on this major milestone, it's so exciting. Savor the moment and then spread the news of your engagement with loved ones. (Photo: HockleyMedia/peopleimages.com / Adobe Stock)

 

 

Other Words for ‘Engagement’ and ‘Engaged to be Married’

 

Below are a few other words for 'engagement’ and ‘engaged to be married’ which you can use to describe your new relationship status – that period of time after the proposal but before the wedding, when you’re officially married.

 

Betrothal: An old-fashioned way to say ‘engagement.' After the proposal and before the wedding, you’re betrothed (engaged to be married). You might announce your betrothal (engagement) on social media with an engagement ring selfie or proposal photo, or host a betrothal party (engagement party) with friends and family. 

 

Affianced: An old term that means ‘engaged to be married,’ that isn’t used much anymore. For example, ‘George and Joss are affianced, they’re wedding is in June.” 

 

Espoused: An old term that means ‘engaged to be married,’ that isn’t used very often anymore. For example, Tina and Carter are espoused. They’re finally getting married in June!’

 

Promised: An old-fashioned term that means two people are 'promised' to each other for marriage, or have 'promised' to get married, and have become formally engaged. This word is less commonly used because of its roots in marriage patriarchy,  when brides were promised to grooms by their parents, often without their consent. 

 

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Ask a Friend to Officiate Your Wedding with Online Ordination From American Marriage Ministries 

 

Good things happen when friends and relatives help out at the wedding ceremony!

 

Now that you're engaged, it's time to start planning your wedding ceremony. Ask a friend or family member to officiate your wedding with free online ordination through American Marriage Ministries (AMM). Once your loved one is ordained, they will be able to legally perform wedding ceremonies and elopements -- like yours! 

|* custom-button, "https://theamm.org/ordination-application", "ORDAINED MINISTER ONLINE APPLICATION" *|

Why AMM? American Marriage Ministries is an inclusive nondenominational internet church that ordains and trains ministers to officiate marriage ceremonies. We are a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit church, and help people from all backgrounds and beliefs become ordained ministers for weddings. Our online ordination is free, accessible, and never expires.

 

Officiating weddings is an incredible honor, and a great way to show your love and support for the people getting married. As a wedding officiant, you will help to create memorable ceremonies and memories that last a lifetime.

AMM Ministers can legally officiate weddings in every state* (it's much harder in Virginia, where we're looking into our options). After getting ordained with AMM, you might need to register your ordination with your local county clerk’s office. Click the link above to get started! 

 

 

Become an ordained minister online with American Marriage Ministries and officiate wedding for friends and relatives. (Photo cropped: Biserka Stojanovic / iStock)

 

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