civil marriage: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low-mediumFormal, neutral
Quick answer
What does “civil marriage” mean?
A marriage performed, recorded, and recognised by a government official or secular authority, as distinct from a religious ceremony.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A marriage performed, recorded, and recognised by a government official or secular authority, as distinct from a religious ceremony.
The legal and social institution of marriage defined solely by the civil laws of a state, conferring legal rights and responsibilities. It can also refer to a specific ceremony of this type or the state of being married under civil law.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. The term is used in both legal and general contexts similarly. In the UK, a 'registry office wedding' is a very common synonym for the ceremony itself. In the US, 'civil ceremony' is often used interchangeably.
Connotations
In both regions, it can have neutral legal connotations or, depending on context, carry connotations of being non-religious, pragmatic, or secular. It is not inherently positive or negative.
Frequency
Slightly more common in everyday UK English (e.g., 'We're having a civil marriage at the town hall') than in US English, where 'courthouse wedding' or 'civil ceremony' may be more frequent colloquially.
Grammar
How to Use “civil marriage” in a Sentence
They entered into a civil marriage.The civil marriage took place at the registry office.Civil marriage is recognised by the state.They opted for a civil marriage rather than a church wedding.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “civil marriage” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They decided to civilly marry at the local registry.
- The couple will be civilly married next Thursday.
American English
- They chose to marry in a civil ceremony at the courthouse.
- The judge civilly married them in a brief proceeding.
adjective
British English
- They obtained a civil marriage certificate.
- The civil marriage laws were updated.
American English
- Their civil marriage license was issued by the county clerk.
- Civil marriage equality was a landmark ruling.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in HR/benefits contexts regarding spousal recognition.
Academic
Common in sociology, law, and political science discussing marriage law, secularism, and LGBT+ rights.
Everyday
Used when discussing wedding plans, legal status, or explaining one's marital ceremony.
Technical
Standard term in legal documents, immigration forms, and family law.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “civil marriage”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “civil marriage”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “civil marriage”
- Using 'civil union' or 'civil partnership' synonymously (these are distinct legal statuses in many places). Confusing it with 'common-law marriage'. Spelling error: 'civel marriage'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A civil marriage is formally registered with a government authority. A common-law marriage is an informal legal status based on cohabitation and presentation as a married couple, recognised in very few jurisdictions.
It depends on the country's laws. In many places (e.g., France, Germany), a civil ceremony is legally mandatory. In others (e.g., the UK, US), authorised religious officials can also register the marriage legally, making a separate civil ceremony unnecessary.
In an increasing number of countries where same-sex marriage is legal, it is typically enacted through the framework of civil marriage, as religious institutions may not be obliged to perform such ceremonies.
Historically, civil partnerships were created to provide legal recognition to same-sex couples before marriage equality. They are similar but separate legal institutions. Today, in some places, they are available to both same-sex and opposite-sex couples as an alternative to marriage, with potentially different rights and terminology.
A marriage performed, recorded, and recognised by a government official or secular authority, as distinct from a religious ceremony.
Civil marriage is usually formal, neutral in register.
Civil marriage: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsɪv.əl ˈmær.ɪdʒ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsɪv.əl ˈmer.ɪdʒ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Tie the knot at the town hall (UK, informal).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think CIVIL = CITIZEN. A CIVIL marriage is the contract you make with the state as a CITIZEN, not with a deity.
Conceptual Metaphor
MARRIAGE IS A LEGAL CONTRACT (specifically, a state contract).
Practice
Quiz
Which phrase is NOT typically a synonym for 'civil marriage'?