wedlock: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal, Legal, Archaic/Literary
Quick answer
What does “wedlock” mean?
The state of being married.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The state of being married; marriage.
Primarily used in legal, formal, or historical contexts to refer specifically to the marital union. Often carries connotations of permanence, legality, and social/religious sanction. Frequently appears in contrastive phrases like 'born in/out of wedlock'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is virtually identical in both varieties, confined to formal/legal contexts and the phrase 'out of wedlock'. No significant dialectal variation.
Connotations
In both varieties, it connotes formality, tradition, and legal/religious institution. Can carry slightly negative or judgemental overtones in phrases like 'born out of wedlock', implying illegitimacy.
Frequency
Extremely low-frequency in everyday speech for both. Slightly more common in legal documents, historical texts, or formal news reporting in both the UK and US.
Grammar
How to Use “wedlock” in a Sentence
be born + in/out of + wedlockenter into + wedlockchildren + of + wedlockVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “wedlock” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The child was registered as born in wedlock, securing his inheritance rights.
- Victorian society placed immense importance on the sanctity of wedlock.
American English
- The report highlighted a rise in births out of wedlock over the past decade.
- He spoke of the 'bonds of wedlock' in his old-fashioned wedding speech.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in historical, sociological, legal, or demographic studies, e.g., 'trends in childbearing outside of wedlock'.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Might be used humorously or with archaic flair ('They finally entered into holy wedlock').
Technical
Core use is in legal terminology (family law, inheritance law) and formal demographic/statistical reporting.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “wedlock”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “wedlock”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “wedlock”
- Using 'wedlock' as a casual synonym for 'marriage' (e.g., 'How is your wedlock?' – incorrect).
- Confusing 'wedlock' with 'wedding' (the ceremony).
- Using incorrect prepositions (e.g., 'born from wedlock' instead of 'born in/out of wedlock').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Using 'wedlock' this way will sound very old-fashioned, formal, or even humorous. Use 'marriage' instead. 'Wedlock' is almost only used in fixed phrases like 'out of wedlock' or in legal/formal writing.
Both are formal synonyms for marriage. 'Matrimony' often has a stronger religious or sacramental connotation, while 'wedlock' has a stronger legal/institutional connotation. 'Wedlock' is far more common in the specific phrase 'out of wedlock'.
It can be, as it historically and legally implied 'illegitimacy'. In modern, sensitive contexts, phrases like 'born to unmarried parents' or 'born outside of marriage' are often preferred as they are purely descriptive and less judgemental.
It is exclusively a noun. There is no verb 'to wedlock'. The related verb is 'to wed'.
The state of being married.
Wedlock is usually formal, legal, archaic/literary in register.
Wedlock: in British English it is pronounced /ˈwɛdlɒk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈwɛdlɑːk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Tie the knot (informal synonym for getting married)”
- “Bonds of wedlock”
- “Out of wedlock”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a WEDding that LOCKS two people together. The 'lock' suggests a binding, permanent state.
Conceptual Metaphor
MARRIAGE IS A BOND/LOCK (e.g., 'bonds of wedlock'). MARRIAGE IS A CONTAINER (e.g., 'in/out of wedlock').
Practice
Quiz
In which of the following sentences is the word 'wedlock' used most naturally and appropriately?