Exes

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈɛksəz/

Definitions

1. A colloquial term referring to individuals previously engaged in romantic relationships, specifically denoting several of them, often used in casual conversations about past love interests
2. This expression signifies former romantic partners, highlighting their status as multiple past lovers or connections no longer current
3. People who were once in romantic relationships with someone but are no longer involved with them

Etymology: Here the surprising fact is that "exes" is backslang for "six," a reversal of the number's pronunciation that was built into a slang term. The plural noun for former partners is a shortened form of "ex," itself short for "ex-husband," "ex-wife," or another former partner, with "ex" drawn from the Latin "ex," meaning "out of" or "former." The link between the number and the meaning is the backslang convention. Backslang works by reversing the sounds of a word, so "six" becomes "xis," which is then spelled and pronounced as "exes." Once that form existed, it was available to take on the sense of the abbreviation "ex," which by then had come to mean a former spouse or partner. The result is a plural noun that carries a slang history through an unrelated number.

Synonyms: former partners, previous relationships