trial marriage: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, sociological, journalistic
Quick answer
What does “trial marriage” mean?
A period of living together as if married, before making a formal or legal commitment, to test the compatibility of the relationship.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A period of living together as if married, before making a formal or legal commitment, to test the compatibility of the relationship.
A social arrangement where a couple cohabits with the explicit intent of assessing their long-term suitability for marriage, often without the legal or religious sanctions of a formal union.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is similar, but the term is perhaps slightly more established in American sociological and conservative religious discourse. In the UK, 'living together' or 'cohabitation' are more common neutral terms.
Connotations
Can carry a conservative or disapproving connotation, implying a lack of commitment or a deviation from traditional norms. In progressive contexts, it may be seen as a pragmatic, sensible step.
Frequency
Low frequency in everyday speech; more common in written analysis, sociological texts, or debates on family structure.
Grammar
How to Use “trial marriage” in a Sentence
[Couple] entered into a trial marriage.The [concept/practice] of trial marriage is debated.They are considering a trial marriage before the wedding.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “trial marriage” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Some couples choose to trial-marriage for a year or two.
- (Note: 'to trial-marriage' is a rare verbing, more common would be 'to have a trial marriage')
American English
- They decided to trial-marriage before making it official.
adverb
British English
- They lived together trial-marriage-wise for eighteen months. (Highly uncommon/constructed)
American English
- (No standard adverbial form.)
adjective
British English
- The trial-marriage period revealed several incompatibilities.
American English
- Their trial-marriage arrangement was agreed upon by both families.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in sociology, anthropology, and family studies to describe a specific social practice.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation; may be used in more deliberate discussions about relationships.
Technical
A specific term in family law and social policy discussions, though not a formal legal status.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “trial marriage”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “trial marriage”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “trial marriage”
- Using it to mean any unmarried couple living together (lacks the intentional, evaluative aspect).
- Confusing it with 'engagement', which is a promise to marry, not necessarily involving cohabitation.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, a trial marriage has no legal status. It is a social arrangement, not a legal contract.
A trial marriage implies a deliberate, often discussed, period of testing compatibility *for the specific purpose* of deciding on formal marriage. General cohabitation may not have this explicit, evaluative goal.
Research findings are mixed. Some studies suggest it correlates with higher divorce rates (selection effect), while others argue it helps couples work out issues beforehand. Causality is difficult to establish.
Yes, certain cultures have had formalized practices, such as 'handfasting' in some Celtic traditions or specific arrangements in some Scandinavian historical contexts.
A period of living together as if married, before making a formal or legal commitment, to test the compatibility of the relationship.
Trial marriage: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtraɪəl ˈmær.ɪdʒ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtraɪəl ˈmer.ɪdʒ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Test-driving the relationship”
- “A dry run for marriage”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'trial run' or a 'test drive' for a car. A 'trial marriage' is a test drive for a lifelong partnership.
Conceptual Metaphor
MARRIAGE IS A CONTRACT (a trial period is a clause in a contract), A RELATIONSHIP IS A JOURNEY (a trial is a preliminary leg of the journey).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary connotation of 'trial marriage' in conservative discourse?