people who are not married

Your boyfriend or girlfriend is someone with whom you are having a romantic or sexual relationship. Two people in a serious relationship are often referred to as a couple.

• Why don't we invite the couple next door round for a drink? Many couples are not married, but live together in the same home like married couples. When referring to this situation the term partner is often used.

• Have you met Tom, my partner?Lover can be used about people in sexual relationships, but it is more common to use girlfriend/boyfriend/partner in everyday conversation.
  
  If a couple are engaged, they have formally agreed to marry. The person to whom you are engaged is your fiancé (male) or your fiancée (female).
  
  A single parent/mother/father (single mum/dad informal), or a lone parent is someone bringing up a child alone.

• There are plans to help single mums back into work.