How Do You Feel About Using the Word "Fiance"?

The Word "Fiancé": Love It or Leave It?

August 26, 2009

A friend of mine recently got engaged but shudders at using the word "fiancé" to refer to her affianced. It feels more natural to say "boyfriend" when talking about her husband-to-be. I propose that she go with something intentionally hokey, like "my intended." How do you feel about using the word fiancé?

Source: Flickr User Milla.Deet

28 Comments

LittlePinkStar 3 years 36 weeks

it's weird to call him "fiance" although our relationship has moved up a level...i usually address him by his name or i'll say hubby, although i admit i do still say boyfriend....plus were waiting 2 years till the wedding to it seems like ill be saying fiance for wait too long!

3 years 37 weeks

Hardly worth discussion. So the boyfriend becomes the fiance and then my huuuuussssband...like you won a prize at the State Fair. Fast forward a year it's 'him' and 4 years later... 'my ex'. Like I said...hardly worth discussion...

danakscully64 3 years 38 weeks

I love the word and have been waiting 4 1/2 years to be able to use it and damnit, I will use it! :p Boyfriend seems so high school to me.

Bella14Stella 3 years 38 weeks

I call my fiance "my fiance" - he's not my boyfriend, he's the guy I'm getting married to.

PrincessLtrain 3 years 38 weeks

I like the word, but I find that I never use it! It's not because it annoys me, it just never feels natural. Of course boyfriend rolls off the tongue easier because it's a term I've been using for 14 years. But I find to continue calling him my "boyfriend" now that were engaged would be rather insulting. He put the time and effort into a beautiful proposal, designed a gorgeous ring, and yet he still gets the same title as 6+ previous guys in my life? He deserves a title upgrade! It doesn't mean he's better than anyone else.

PrincessLtrain 3 years 38 weeks

Leila07 3 years 38 weeks

I mostly just refer to him by his first name, unless I need to introduce him as my fiance. It is an awkward word for me, but he was offended when I still called him by boyfriend.She will get over it and use it or find an appropriate way to get around it. "My intended" sounds even more pretentious to me. It is not as commonly used as fiance.

Leila07 3 years 38 weeks

I mostly just refer to him by his first name, unless I need to introduce him as my fiance. It is an awkward word for me, but he was offended when I still called him by boyfriend. She will get over it and use it or find an appropriate way to get around it. "My intended" sounds even more pretentious to me. It is not as commonly used as fiance.

Brandi13jrm 3 years 38 weeks

I hate the word fiance, it sounds soooo pretentious... as if now you're a more important person since you have decided to get married. Reality check, you're not. Marriage is great, I've been married nine years, but I hate how people get engaged then unengaged and then engaged again... it's like they don't take it seriously. I think most people like the "idea" of marriage and get wrapped up in the term fiance and the engagement parties, bridal showers, bacherlorette parties, planning the wedding, etc. It's all ridiculous to me. (Sorry, I went on a rant there, huh? ; ))

Brandi13jrm 3 years 38 weeks

cotedazur 3 years 38 weeks

Here in France, anytime a couple is serious or has been together a long time, they're called "fiancés" - even if she doesn't have a ring and they haven't specifically discussed marriage. But in the US I understand how it's more awkward to use. Why not just elope and go straight from boyfriend to husband? ;)

GlowingMoon 3 years 38 weeks

Love the word. It's accurate, and it's an upgrade from boyfriend.I also love the word "husband," too. :)

GlowingMoon 3 years 38 weeks

Love the word. It's accurate, and it's an upgrade from boyfriend. I also love the word "husband," too. :)

clareberrys 3 years 38 weeks

There should be an "in between" button. I cant wait to call my boyfriend my fiance! But at the same time I would get annoyed [with myself] if I was saying it over and over again. Typically if I am referring to him in a conversation with someone who doesnt know him or doesnt know me that well I would say "fiance" but otherwise, like when talking with friends or coworkers I would just say his name.

genesisrocks 3 years 38 weeks

I have no prob with the word.

sham28 3 years 38 weeks

Just introduce him by name and people will notice the ring. Ta-dah! Though I like fiance. Just not over and over and over again, as with any word.

oohsexypenguin 3 years 38 weeks

I have no problem with the word fiance. When I was engaged to my husband I called him my fiance, and he did the same. It's every couple's personal choice.

Yogaforlife 3 years 38 weeks

When I got engaged, I slipped up and still called him my boyfriend. Once I finally got used to saying fiance, I up and got married and then would slip up and say my fiance instead of husband. I finally got it down!I do think it's funny when people say "my fiance", mimicking the seinfeld episode.

Yogaforlife 3 years 38 weeks

When I got engaged, I slipped up and still called him my boyfriend. Once I finally got used to saying fiance, I up and got married and then would slip up and say my fiance instead of husband. I finally got it down! I do think it's funny when people say "my fiance", mimicking the seinfeld episode.

POPSUGAR Beauty 3 years 38 weeks

I don't like fiancé. Just sounds goofy and so '80s. It's better than LOVAH, though.

efsarbaby 3 years 38 weeks

it's a better word than "husband."

leslievanhouten 3 years 38 weeks

fiance is an ugly, antiquated sounding word. I always think of the movie Raising Arizona, when Holly Hunter cries "my finance left me"

leslievanhouten 3 years 38 weeks

fiance is an ugly, antiquated sounding word. I always think of the movie Raising Arizona, when Holly Hunter cries "my finance left me"

kia 3 years 38 weeks

when I was engaged I still called my guy my boyfriend and he teased me about it. I simply would forget despite having a ring on my finger. now that we are married I don't have to be concerned with slipping up over that transitional word. the word is fine with me, just a label, a loving label.

Briandiesel 3 years 38 weeks

yah, my best friend was calling hers boyfriend still and i was like, he bought you a diamond, he upgrades to fiance. She switched to husband, which i think is cute.

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