better half

plural better halves

1. A person's spouse or lover, most commonly a man's wife.

   Let me ask my better half and get back to you.

   4 more examples

   Near-synonyms: other half (neutral valence), ball and chain (negative valence)

   But with that Argalus came out of his swoon, […], it seemed a little cheerful blood came up to his cheeks, like a burning coal, almost dead, if some breath a little revive it: and forcing up, the best he could, his feeble voice, “My dear, my better half,” said he, “I find I must now leave thee: and by that sweet hand, and fair eyes of thine I swear that death brings nothing with it to grieve me but that I must leave thee, […]

   1580, Philip Sidney, “Book III”, in The Countess of Pembroke's Arcadia, page 357

   Quickly gentlemen, we got about fifteen minutes before Jimmie's better-half comes pulling into the driveway.

   1994, Quentin Tarantino, Roger Avary, Pulp Fiction, spoken by The Wolf (Harvey Keitel)

   Private life then, just to flesh out David Brent the man. Is there a better half?

   2002, Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, “Interview”, in The Office, season 2, episode 6 (television production), spoken by Helena (Olivia Colman)

   Synonyms: spouse, consort, helpmate, helpmeet, mate, other half, partner, spousy

2. archaicA very close friend or companion.