French word

ex-femme

Pronunciation

IPA/ɛksfam/

Meaning

  • feminine nounex-wife

Example

Il a rencontré son ex-femme hier.

He met his ex-wife yesterday.

Illustration for ex-femme (ex-wife)

More examples

Il est en bons termes avec son ex-femme malgré le divorce.

He is on good terms with his ex-wife despite the divorce.

Core concept

A woman identified by a marriage that has ended.

Common phrases

  • être en bons termes avec son ex-femme

    be on good terms with one's ex-wife

  • voir régulièrement son ex-femme

    see one's ex-wife regularly

Similar words

ex-épouse: A written term for a woman who was formerly married to someone.
divorcée: A woman whose marriage ended through legal divorce.
ex-compagne: A woman who was formerly a romantic partner, whether or not they were married.

Definition in French

Femme qui a été mariée à quelqu'un mais dont la relation conjugale a pris fin.

Word origin

The prefix ex- comes from Latin ex, meaning 'out of' or 'former', while femme descends through Old French from Latin femina; together they form a noun for a former wife.

Usage tips

  • Because ex-femme begins with a vowel sound, the possessive is son ex-femme even when the person is female.

Opposites

  • épousewifenoun
  • conjointespousenoun

Related words

  • ex-épouseex-wifenoun
  • ex-partenaireex-partnernoun

Word lists with this word