child bride: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low (Specialised/Contextual)Formal, Academic, Journalistic, Human Rights Discourse
Quick answer
What does “child bride” mean?
A very young girl who is married, often to an older man.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A very young girl who is married, often to an older man.
The term refers specifically to the practice or instance of marrying a child, typically under the age of consent, and is almost universally used in contexts of human rights violations, coercion, or cultural practices deemed harmful. It implies a severe power imbalance and lack of agency for the girl.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Both varieties use the term identically in the same contexts.
Connotations
Universally negative, associated with human rights abuses, patriarchal control, and poverty.
Frequency
Equally low in both varieties, appearing primarily in reports on global health, gender inequality, and cultural anthropology.
Grammar
How to Use “child bride” in a Sentence
[Subject: Law/Custom] + forces/produces/creates + child bride[Adj.] child bride + [Verb: be/remain/suffer]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “child bride” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The child-bride phenomenon persists in some regions.
- They discussed child-bride trafficking routes.
American English
- Child-bride statutes vary by state.
- A child-bride narrative dominated the report.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in sociology, anthropology, gender studies, and human rights literature to discuss harmful traditional practices.
Everyday
Used in news reports and documentaries discussing global issues.
Technical
Used in legal and humanitarian aid contexts to describe a specific form of rights violation.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “child bride”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “child bride”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “child bride”
- Using it as a neutral or positive term.
- Referring to an adult who looks young as a 'child bride'.
- Confusing it with 'teen bride' (which, while young, may be of legal age).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a descriptive social term. Legal terminology would be 'minor in marriage', 'underage marriage', or 'forced marriage of a minor'.
No, the term is gender-specific to girls. The equivalent for a boy is extremely rare but might be termed a 'child groom'.
Because it explicitly labels a child as a marital partner, highlighting the inherent lack of consent, exploitation, and violation of children's rights.
'Child bride' implies the individual is below the age of legal consent and the marriage is inherently problematic. 'Teen bride' typically refers to a legal marriage between consenting teenagers (e.g., ages 16-19) and carries fewer automatic negative connotations.
A very young girl who is married, often to an older man.
Child bride: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtʃaɪld ˌbraɪd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtʃaɪld ˌbraɪd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'CHILD' clearly indicating youth and lack of adulthood, paired with 'BRIDE' which signifies marriage. The jarring combination itself highlights the wrongness of the concept.
Conceptual Metaphor
CHILD IS PROPERTY (to be given away/traded). MARRIAGE IS A TRANSACTION/CAPTURE.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'child bride' most appropriately used?