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adulterer

C1
UK/əˈdʌlt(ə)rə(r)/US/əˈdʌltərər/

Formal; Legal; Literary; Biblical/Religious

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Definition

Meaning

A married person who has sexual relations with someone who is not their spouse.

More broadly, any person who is unfaithful to a partner in a committed relationship by engaging in an extramarital or extra-relational affair. In historical/religious contexts, can denote a person guilty of breaking a covenant of fidelity.

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

Traditionally gendered, with 'adulterer' for a man and 'adulteress' for a woman. The neutral term 'adulterer' can be used for any gender in modern formal contexts. Implies a breach of trust and a specific vow (marriage). The associated action is 'to commit adultery'.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant difference in meaning. The word is used identically in both legal and general contexts. The verb form 'to adulterate' (to make impure) is a distinct, unrelated term used in both varieties.

Connotations

Equally strong negative moral/ethical connotations in both cultures. Slightly more common in religious discourse in some US contexts.

Frequency

Low frequency in everyday casual conversation in both varieties, replaced by more colloquial terms like 'cheater'. Higher frequency in formal writing, legal documents, and religious texts.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
convicted adulterernotorious adultererunrepentant adulterercommit adultery
medium
accused of being an adulterersecret adulterermarital unfaithfulness
weak
known adulterersuspected adultereracts of adultery

Grammar

Valency Patterns

[be/vie/be labelled] an adulterer[accuse/condemn/forgive] [someone] as an adulterer

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Strong

cheatertwo-timerlove rat (UK, informal)

Neutral

unfaithful partnerphilanderer (specifically a man who has many casual affairs)

Weak

unfaithful spousewayward spouse

Vocabulary

Antonyms

faithful spouseloyal partner

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

  • “[He/She] was caught in the act.”
  • “To have a bit on the side (UK, informal).”
  • “To two-time someone.”

Usage

Context Usage

Business

Rare, except potentially in HR contexts regarding morality clauses or high-profile scandals affecting corporate reputation.

Academic

Used in historical, sociological, theological, and literary studies analysing marriage, infidelity, and social norms.

Everyday

Less common in casual talk; 'cheater' is more frequent. Used seriously in discussions of relationship breakdowns.

Technical

Standard term in legal contexts (divorce proceedings, historical law) and religious discourse (e.g., biblical commandments).

Examples

By Part of Speech

verb

British English

  • He was found to have adulterated the food samples with cheaper ingredients.
  • The evidence had been adulterated and was inadmissible.

American English

  • The company was fined for adulterating the prescription drug.
  • They accused him of adulterating the pure doctrine.

adverb

British English

  • He was living adulterously with his neighbour's wife.
  • (Rare in use; 'unfaithfully' is more common.)

American English

  • The character acts adulterously, destroying his family. (Formal/Literary)

adjective

British English

  • The adulterous relationship was exposed by the press.
  • He led an adulterous life for years.

American English

  • She filed for divorce on grounds of adulterous conduct.
  • The novel explores the consequences of an adulterous affair.

Examples

By CEFR Level

B1
  • In the story, the king was a cruel adulterer.
  • She left him because he was an adulterer.
B2
  • The politician's career was ruined when he was exposed as an adulterer.
  • Historically, an adulterer could face severe legal penalties.
C1
  • The novel's protagonist is a tragic figure, an unrepentant adulterer trapped by his own desires and societal condemnation.
  • Theologians have long debated the precise definition of what constitutes an adulterer in various cultural contexts.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think: ADULT + ERRor. An ADULT who makes a serious relational ERRor by breaking their vows.

Conceptual Metaphor

INFIDELITY IS A STAIN/BREACH. (e.g., 'stain on his character', 'breach of trust').

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

  • Do not confuse with 'адвокат' (lawyer).
  • The Russian 'прелюбодей' is a direct cognate but is extremely bookish/biblical. 'Изменник/изменница' is a more general 'traitor/unfaithful person'. The specific legal/marital force of 'adulterer' may be lost.

Common Mistakes

  • Misspelling: 'adulturer' (missing 'e').
  • Confusing with 'adulterate' (to corrupt or make impure).
  • Using it for someone in a non-marital relationship where 'cheater' is more accurate.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
In the classic novel, the protagonist is portrayed as a tragic whose actions lead to the ruin of several families.
Multiple Choice

Which of the following is the most contextually accurate synonym for 'adulterer' in a modern legal document?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Traditionally, yes (with 'adulteress' for women). In modern formal and legal English, 'adulterer' is increasingly used as a gender-neutral term, though 'adulteress' is still understood.

'Adulterer' is formal and specifically implies a violation of marital vows. 'Cheater' is informal and broad, covering any betrayal of agreed-upon exclusivity, including in dating or non-marital relationships.

Yes, if the person is married. An 'adulterer' is a person who commits adultery, which is the act of having an extramarital affair.

Almost never in modern English. The unrelated verb 'to adulterate' means to corrupt or make impure by adding inferior substances (e.g., adulterated milk). Do not confuse these terms.