Meaning & use
trophy wives
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“trophy wives” is a form of “trophy wife”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meaning
nounpluralinformaldisapproving
Plural of trophy wife: young, attractive wives of rich or powerful men, described as being valued mostly as a sign of the husband's success.
Grammar: Plural of trophy wife; takes a plural verb: trophy wives are often discussed.
Patterns
- the trophy wives of someone
The novel pokes fun at the trophy wives who fill the country club.
Critics say the show reduces its female characters to trophy wives.
He complained that the magazine was full of trophy wives posing beside luxury cars.
Common combinations
- rich men and their trophy wives
- The film mocks rich men and their trophy wives.
- stereotype of trophy wives
- She resented the stereotype of trophy wives.
- a gaggle of trophy wives
- A gaggle of trophy wives lunched on the terrace.
- trophy wives of the wealthy
- The reality show follows the trophy wives of the wealthy.
Synonyms and how they differ
- arm candy
- Arm candy is lighter and can refer to a date as well as a spouse, and it is less focused on marriage.
- kept women
- Kept women is old-fashioned and implies financial support rather than display.
- socialites
- Socialites are valued for their place in high society, which is not necessarily tied to being a trophy for a husband.
Word family
- trophy wife noun
- singular form of the phrase
- trophy husband noun
- a much younger or attractive husband seen the same way
- trophy noun
- a prize or symbol of success
- wife noun
- a married woman
Practice
Why can the phrase 'trophy wives' be offensive?
Choose one answer.
The phrase implies a wife is displayed as a symbol of her husband's success. The other options give literal or invented meanings that the phrase does not carry.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “trophy wives”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.