homewrecker: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, colloquial, often pejorative.
Quick answer
What does “homewrecker” mean?
A person (or occasionally a thing) who is blamed for the destruction of a family unit, especially a marriage.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person (or occasionally a thing) who is blamed for the destruction of a family unit, especially a marriage.
Primarily a person who engages in an affair with a married individual, thereby causing the breakup of their family home. Can also be used humorously or hyperbolically for things that distract from family life (e.g., a video game).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The term is understood and used in both varieties.
Connotations
Equally pejorative and informal in both regions.
Frequency
Slightly more prevalent in American popular media (tabloids, talk shows), but common in UK discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “homewrecker” in a Sentence
[Person] is a homewrecker.[Person] was called a homewrecker by [Source].They accused [Person] of being a homewrecker.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “homewrecker” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She was accused of trying to homewreck their seemingly perfect marriage.
- The scandalous affair threatened to homewreck the political dynasty.
American English
- The tabloids claimed she homewrecked the celebrity couple's family.
- He didn't mean to homewreck, but the relationship got out of hand.
adverb
British English
- (Not standard; rarely used.)
American English
- (Not standard; rarely used.)
adjective
British English
- He fell for her homewrecking charms.
- The paper ran a sensational homewrecker story.
American English
- She was labeled with the homewrecker stereotype.
- They were caught in a homewrecker affair.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable; highly informal and personal.
Academic
Rare, except in sociological or cultural studies discussing gender roles and family discourse.
Everyday
Common in gossip, tabloid journalism, personal conflicts, and dramatic narratives.
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “homewrecker”
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “homewrecker”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “homewrecker”
- Using it in formal contexts. Spelling as two words ('home wrecker') – while sometimes seen, the single-word or hyphenated form ('home-wrecker') is standard. Over-applying it to non-marital relationships without a clear 'home' or family unit.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, absolutely. While the term is historically and often applied to women, it can be used for any person who is perceived as destroying a family unit. The male equivalent is less common but perfectly valid.
No, it is distinctly informal and colloquial. It carries strong emotional and judgmental weight. It is unsuitable for legal, academic (except as a term of study), or polite formal discourse.
A 'mistress' describes a woman in a long-term extramarital relationship. A 'homewrecker' focuses on the *consequence* of the affair—the destruction of the family. A mistress might not be labeled a homewrecker if the marriage remains intact.
Yes, it is often used in a hyperbolic or self-deprecating way. For example, someone might joke, 'This new video game is a real homewrecker; I haven't spent time with my family all week!'
A person (or occasionally a thing) who is blamed for the destruction of a family unit, especially a marriage.
Homewrecker: in British English it is pronounced /ˈhəʊmˌrek.ər/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈhoʊmˌrek.ɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Homewrecker is not part of a standard idiom, but appears in phrases like 'homewrecker affair'.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a WRECKing ball smashing a HOME. A HOME-WRECK-er smashes families.
Conceptual Metaphor
A FAMILY/MARRIAGE IS A STRUCTURE (to be wrecked/destroyed).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the term 'homewrecker' be LEAST appropriate?