girlfriend

there is still no concise, appropriate, universally accepted term to describe the woman we love. At least this one has the parallel of boyfriend. Those in committed relationships need a word with the corresponding weight and meaning of "wife" to denote their partners. The increasing numbers of heterosexual couples in long-term relationships have the same problem. Until the right word comes along, consider: friend, woman friend (if "man friend" is also used); female friend (if "male friend" is also used); best friend, spouse, partner, domestic partner, or life partner (despite its business associations, this is one of the most popular choices); companion (literally, the person with whom you share bread) or longtime companion (this is the second most popular choice); the woman I'm seeing; significant other; soulmate; steady, mate, housemate, paramour, consort, lover, longtime love, live-in, live-in lover; sweetheart; sweetie, gal pal, main/major squeeze; the woman in my life. See also domestic partner, girl (referring to a woman).