intermarry
C1Formal/Academic
Definition
Meaning
To marry someone from a different social, ethnic, religious, or racial group.
To form marriages between distinct groups, such as families, clans, or nations, often for social, political, or integrative purposes.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Emphasizes crossing traditional boundaries; often used in sociological, historical, or demographic contexts to discuss integration, diversity, or alliance-building.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning; both varieties use the term similarly.
Connotations
Carries connotations of social mixing, integration, or breaking down barriers; in American English, often associated with discussions on racial and ethnic diversity.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English due to societal focus on multiculturalism, but common in both.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
intermarry with [group]intermarry between [groups]intermarry among [groups]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare; occasionally in diversity and inclusion reports or discussions on workplace culture.
Academic
Common in sociology, anthropology, history, and demography for analyzing marriage patterns and social integration.
Everyday
Used in conversations about multicultural relationships, family history, or social trends.
Technical
Specific to social science research, demographic studies, and genetic or genealogical analyses.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The aristocratic families intermarried to consolidate their power and estates.
- In some regions, different religious communities rarely intermarry due to traditional norms.
American English
- Immigrant groups often intermarry with native-born citizens over time, reflecting assimilation.
- Studies show that people are more likely to intermarry in urban, diverse areas.
adjective
British English
- They are an intermarried couple, hailing from distinct cultural backgrounds.
- The intermarried lineages have created a unique blend of traditions in the village.
American English
- Intermarried families may navigate dual holiday celebrations and customs.
- The community includes many intermarried pairs, enhancing its multicultural fabric.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- People from different countries can intermarry if they choose.
- In our town, some families intermarry with neighbors.
- As societies become more open, individuals from various religions often intermarry.
- Historically, tribes would intermarry to form peace agreements.
- Royal dynasties frequently intermarried to secure political alliances across Europe.
- Demographic shifts have led to increased rates of intermarriage among ethnic groups.
- Sociological analyses indicate that intermarrying rates correlate with levels of social tolerance and integration.
- The genetic diversity in the population can be attributed to centuries of intermarrying between isolated communities.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
INTER (between) + MARRY (marriage) = marrying between different groups.
Conceptual Metaphor
Marriage as a bridge connecting disparate communities or cultures.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation to 'межбрачие', which is obscure; use 'вступать в брак с представителями другой группы'.
- Do not confuse with 'intermarry' implying only marriage between relatives; it specifically denotes cross-group unions.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'intermarry' transitively without 'with', e.g., 'They intermarried other tribes' (incorrect) vs. 'They intermarried with other tribes' (correct).
- Misspelling as 'intermarry' with a single 'r' or confusing with 'intermediate'.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'intermarry'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it encompasses marriage across any social, ethnic, religious, or racial boundaries.
No, the noun form is 'intermarriage'; 'intermarry' is strictly a verb.
'Intermarry' is a verb describing the action of marrying outside one's group, while 'exogamy' is a noun referring to the social practice or custom of such marriages.
It is generally formal or academic; in casual speech, phrases like 'marry outside the group' are more common.