marriage of convenience: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal to neutral. Used in political, journalistic, business, and historical discourse.
Quick answer
What does “marriage of convenience” mean?
A marriage contracted for practical, legal, or financial benefits rather than for love or emotional commitment.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A marriage contracted for practical, legal, or financial benefits rather than for love or emotional commitment.
Any alliance, partnership, or agreement between parties (e.g., political parties, companies, countries) made primarily for mutual practical benefit rather than shared ideals or genuine affinity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The concept and phrase are equally understood and used in both varieties.
Connotations
Identical connotations of pragmatism, cynicism, and lack of romantic foundation in both UK and US English.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in UK English due to historical and royal context, but common in both.
Grammar
How to Use “marriage of convenience” in a Sentence
[Subject] entered into a marriage of convenience with [Partner/Party] to [achieve goal].The alliance between [X] and [Y] was a marriage of convenience.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “marriage of convenience” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The two companies have effectively 'married for convenience' to fend off the takeover bid.
- They are rumoured to be considering 'convenience-marrying' to resolve the visa issue.
American English
- The senators 'convenience-married' their political agendas to pass the bill.
- They were accused of 'marrying out of convenience' for the tax break.
adverb
British English
- They partnered, marriage-of-convenience style, to bid for the contract.
- The merger was done marriage-of-convenience-quick.
American English
- They allied themselves, marriage-of-convenience-like, for the election cycle.
- The team was assembled marriage-of-convenience-fast.
adjective
British English
- They had a marriage-of-convenience arrangement for five years.
- The coalition was a marriage-of-convenience government.
American English
- It was a marriage-of-convenience deal to share infrastructure costs.
- Their marriage-of-convenience partnership dissolved after the project ended.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to describe mergers or joint ventures undertaken solely for market share or tax advantages, without cultural or strategic synergy.
Academic
Used in political science, history, and sociology to analyse alliances between ideologically opposed groups or states.
Everyday
Used to describe relationships (personal, work) perceived as being based solely on practical benefit.
Technical
In immigration law, it refers to a marriage contracted to circumvent immigration controls, often termed a 'sham marriage'.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “marriage of convenience”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “marriage of convenience”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “marriage of convenience”
- Using it to describe any arranged marriage (not all arranged marriages are marriages of convenience, as some aim for long-term love).
- Misspelling 'convenience'.
- Using it in a positive context.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not always. While it can refer to illegal 'sham marriages' for immigration fraud, it can also describe legal but pragmatic marriages for social or financial reasons, or metaphorically describe legal alliances.
Rarely. Its core meaning is cynical. It might be used neutrally to describe pragmatic strategy ('a necessary marriage of convenience'), but it still implies a lack of deeper, sincere connection.
An arranged marriage is facilitated by families with the hope of eventual love and long-term commitment. A marriage of convenience is entered into by the individuals primarily for an immediate practical goal (e.g., a visa, money), often with no expectation of romantic development.
Yes, very commonly. It is frequently used metaphorically for political coalitions, business mergers, or sporting alliances that are pragmatic but lack shared values or genuine synergy.
A marriage contracted for practical, legal, or financial benefits rather than for love or emotional commitment.
Marriage of convenience is usually formal to neutral. used in political, journalistic, business, and historical discourse. in register.
Marriage of convenience: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmærɪdʒ əv kənˈviːniəns/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmerɪdʒ əv kənˈviːniəns/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A match made in heaven (antithetical idiom)”
- “In name only”
- “A shotgun wedding (different but shares pragmatic element)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'CONVENIENCE store' marriage—quick, practical, for a specific need, not for lasting quality or enjoyment.
Conceptual Metaphor
MARRIAGE IS A BUSINESS CONTRACT / AN ALLIANCE IS A MARRIAGE.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the phrase 'marriage of convenience' be LEAST appropriate?