sororate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low (C2+)Formal, Academic, Technical (Anthropology/Sociology)
Quick answer
What does “sororate” mean?
A custom in some societies where a man marries the sister(s) of his deceased wife.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A custom in some societies where a man marries the sister(s) of his deceased wife.
More broadly, a practice or social institution of providing a new wife from among the sisters of a deceased wife; can be used anthropologically to discuss kinship systems and marriage obligations.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or spelling. Usage is identically technical in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral, descriptive anthropological term.
Frequency
Extremely rare in general discourse; used almost exclusively within anthropology, gender studies, or historical texts. No regional frequency variation.
Grammar
How to Use “sororate” in a Sentence
The [society/tribe] practised [sororate].Sororate was observed among the [people].His marriage followed the custom of sororate.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sororate” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The sororate obligation was clearly defined in their kinship rules.
- They discussed sororate practices in the ethnographic record.
American English
- Sororate unions were documented in several Native American tribes.
- The anthropologist focused on sororate arrangements in her thesis.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Primary context. Used in anthropology, sociology, and gender studies to describe specific kinship and marriage systems.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Precise term in anthropological literature and ethnographic reports.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sororate”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sororate”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sororate”
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'He sororated her').
- Confusing it with 'levirate'.
- Misspelling as 'sorrorate' or 'sororate'.
- Assuming it is a common or modern practice.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is very rare and generally not practised in mainstream global societies, though some remote or traditional communities may retain elements of the custom. It is primarily a subject of historical and anthropological study.
Sororate involves marrying a sister of a deceased spouse (focus on the wife's female kin). Levirate involves a man marrying his brother's widow (focus on the husband's male kin). Both are forms of widow inheritance.
No, it is only a noun. There is no standard verb form. You would say 'practise sororate' or 'enter into a sororate marriage'.
No. It is a highly specialised C2-level term. Learners should prioritise more common vocabulary unless they are studying anthropology or related fields.
A custom in some societies where a man marries the sister(s) of his deceased wife.
Sororate is usually formal, academic, technical (anthropology/sociology) in register.
Sororate: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsɒrərət/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsɔːrərət/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: SORORity – a sisterhood. SORORate is the custom involving a wife's SOROR (sister).
Conceptual Metaphor
MARRIAGE AS A SOCIAL ALLIANCE (the sororate extends the original alliance formed by marriage after the wife's death).
Practice
Quiz
Sororate is a custom primarily studied in which field?