mixed marriage: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low-mediumFormal, academic, journalistic; can be considered dated or sensitive in casual conversation.
Quick answer
What does “mixed marriage” mean?
A marriage between two people from different racial groups or, historically, different religious denominations.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A marriage between two people from different racial groups or, historically, different religious denominations.
A marriage between partners who differ significantly in a sociocultural category, such as ethnicity, religion, nationality, or sometimes social class. The term's primary focus has shifted from religion to race/ethnicity in contemporary usage, though both are applicable.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Both use the term with the same core meaning.
Connotations
In both varieties, the term can evoke past social taboos and legal struggles. In the UK, historical context may lean more towards Catholic/Protestant differences; in the US, it strongly connotes pre-1967 anti-miscegenation laws.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English due to the prominent history of racial segregation and the landmark Supreme Court case 'Loving v. Virginia' (1967).
Grammar
How to Use “mixed marriage” in a Sentence
mixed marriage between X and Ymixed marriage of X and YVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mixed marriage” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- They are a mixed-marriage couple.
- The study focused on mixed-marriage families.
American English
- They are a mixed-marriage couple.
- The book discusses mixed-marriage dynamics.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in sociology, history, law, and cultural studies to discuss social norms, integration, and historical legislation.
Everyday
Used, but often replaced by more specific terms. Can sound formal or old-fashioned.
Technical
A sociological/ anthropological term; 'exogamy' is a more technical hypernym.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mixed marriage”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mixed marriage”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mixed marriage”
- Using it to describe a marriage between people of different personalities or interests (too broad).
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'They mixed-married' – incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is not inherently offensive but can be perceived as dated or overly broad. More specific terms like 'interracial marriage' or 'interfaith marriage' are often preferred as they are more precise and neutral.
Loving v. Virginia (1967), where the US Supreme Court struck down all state laws banning interracial marriage.
Yes, it can be used that way, though terms like 'binational' or 'transnational marriage' are more precise. The core of the term is difference in a major sociocultural category.
'Intermarriage' is a close synonym and often used interchangeably. However, 'intermarriage' can sometimes have a broader meaning, including marriage between any two distinct groups, while 'mixed marriage' historically carries a stronger connotation of social prohibition.
A marriage between two people from different racial groups or, historically, different religious denominations.
Mixed marriage is usually formal, academic, journalistic; can be considered dated or sensitive in casual conversation. in register.
Mixed marriage: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɪkst ˈmær.ɪdʒ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmɪkst ˈmer.ɪdʒ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'mixing' two different colours or ingredients. A 'mixed marriage' blends two distinct social, religious, or ethnic backgrounds.
Conceptual Metaphor
MARRIAGE IS A BLEND/MELTING POT (of cultures/faiths).
Practice
Quiz
In contemporary sensitive language, which phrase is often preferred over 'mixed marriage' when referring to race?