divorcee: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2formal to neutral
Quick answer
What does “divorcee” mean?
A person who is divorced from their former spouse.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who is divorced from their former spouse.
Often used to describe the social or legal status of someone whose marriage has been legally dissolved. Can carry social connotations depending on context.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major difference in core meaning. The term 'divorcé' (male) and 'divorcée' (female) with accent marks are occasionally seen in more formal or traditional contexts in both varieties, but 'divorcee' is overwhelmingly standard.
Connotations
Slightly more formal than 'divorced man/woman/person'. Can sound somewhat dated or legalistic in casual conversation.
Frequency
More common in written contexts (news, legal documents, biographies) than in everyday spoken English. In speech, phrases like 'he's divorced' or 'she's a divorced mother' are more frequent.
Grammar
How to Use “divorcee” in a Sentence
[Subject] is a divorcee.[Subject], a divorcee, [verb]...The divorcee [verb]...A divorcee from [location].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “divorcee” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A – 'divorcee' is not a verb.
American English
- N/A – 'divorcee' is not a verb.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A – 'divorcee' is a noun. The adjective is 'divorced'.
- She attended the event with her divorcee sister. (This is a noun used attributively, not a pure adjective.)
American English
- N/A – 'divorcee' is a noun. The adjective is 'divorced'.
- The article profiled a divorcee father of two. (Noun used attributively.)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in HR/benefits contexts discussing marital status.
Academic
Used in sociological, demographic, or legal studies.
Everyday
Understandable but not the most common choice; descriptive phrases preferred.
Technical
Standard in legal documents and family law.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “divorcee”
- Using 'divorcee' to mean the act of divorce itself (e.g., 'Their divorcee was messy.' – INCORRECT).
- Spelling as 'divorcee' (with one 'e') or 'devorcee'.
- Assuming it applies only to women.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a gender-neutral term, though historically it was more commonly applied to women. 'Divorcé' (male) and 'divorcée' (female) exist but are less common in modern English.
'Divorced' is an adjective describing a marital status (e.g., She is divorced). 'Divorcee' is a noun referring to the person who holds that status (e.g., She is a divorcee).
It is not inherently rude, but it is a label that defines someone by their marital history. In casual contexts, using 'divorced' as an adjective ('He's divorced') often feels more natural and less reductive.
No. The verb form is 'to divorce' (e.g., They divorced last year). 'Divorcee' is exclusively a noun.
A person who is divorced from their former spouse.
Divorcee is usually formal to neutral in register.
Divorcee: in British English it is pronounced /dɪˌvɔːˈsiː/, and in American English it is pronounced /dɪˌvɔːrˈseɪ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Go from bride to divorcee in record time.”
- “The merry divorcee (a clichéd/title reference).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'The decree (the legal document) made her a divorcee.' The '-ee' ending is like 'employee' – someone who receives the action of divorcing.
Conceptual Metaphor
DIVORCE IS A LEGAL RELEASE / DIVORCE IS A NEW SOCIAL CATEGORY.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes the primary use of 'divorcee'?