'The specific word Timothée Chalamet keeps using has me second guessing every relationship I've had.'

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Timothée Chalamet has been cleaning up this award season. He's bagged Best Lead Actor at both the Critics' Choice and the Golden Globes, but it's not his acting that has me spiralling. It's his mouth. Well, the words coming out of it.

In both acceptance speeches, Timmy made sure to thank one person: Kylie Jenner. We've known they've been a thing for a while, but it was his choice of phrasing that made me do a double take.

"To my partner of three years," he said at the Critics' Choice Awards, "Thank you for our foundation, I love you." Then, at the Globes, he doubled down: "To my parents and my partner, thank you."

Partner. Partner. PARTNER!

Watch: The word Timothée Chalamet calls Kylie Jenner. Post continues below.

To me, the word "partner" is heavily loaded. It says, "This is the person I'm going to spend the rest of my life with." Not, this is the person I'm casually dating (which is honestly what I thought their relationship dynamic was up until now).

The use of the word pushed me down a rabbit hole trying to figure out the official 'Commitment Ladder'. And because I'm a rule follower, I need to know that I'm using the right word at the right time.

The Situationship phase.

This is the basement of the ladder, the bottom of the barrel if you will. It's also the phase I tend to find myself frequenting more often than I'd like to admit. You're hanging out, you're texting, but if you saw them in public with someone else, you'd have to pretend you were just waiting for a mate and not having three glasses of wine by yourself.

It's what I like to call the "I think we're dating, but he thinks he's single" phase. Messy, anxiety-inducing, and definitely not 'partner' territory.

The 'Boyfriend/Girlfriend' Phase.

This used to be the gold standard. I remember being so excited to use this word for the person I was dating. It's fun, it's cutesy, it makes people go "aww". However, I'm pushing 30, and I just feel like in six months, using the word "boyfriend" will sound a bit… weird. Like I've just asked him out to the Year 10 formal and I need my parents' permission before he takes me out on a date.

Listen to the author of this article discuss the use of the word "partner" on the Mamamia Out Loud podcast. Post continues below.

The 'Partner' Level.

This is where Timothée is currently residing. Historically, the term 'partner' was a necessary constant for many in the LGBTQ+ community, though it often carried the weight of potentially outing someone. Now that those in heterosexual relationships are increasingly adopting the label, it has created a helpful layer of anonymity. By removing the instant assumption of a person's gender or sexuality, it makes the social landscape a little less draining for everyone involved.

But in a heteronormative context, 'partner' has also become the "grown-up" label. It says, "I hear your mockery of my reality TV star girlfriend, and I am elevating her to my equal." It's a power move.

'Partner' is more about a vibe shift. It's for when 'boyfriend' or 'girlfriend' feels too flimsy for the weight of the relationship and when (like Timmy) you want to signal to the world that this isn't just a person you're seeing; it's the person you've built a life with, even if that life involves two separate mansions in California (must be nice).

Personally? I think I'd like something in between. 'Partner' sounds like work. Boyfriend sounds like I'm holding onto my youth (in a non-cute way). I've finally settled on "my current partner". It has the seriousness of "partner" and the confusing ambiguity of the word "current".

Gotta keep 'em on their toes.

Either way, Timmy has spoken. The 'boyfriend' is dead. Long live the 'partner'. Just don't expect me to start using it until I at least have a toothbrush in his place.

If you want more from Emily Vernem, you can follow her on Instagram @emilyvernem.

Feature image: Getty.