wedlock
4 synonyms and 0 antonyms for wedlock, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The state of being legally married.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use wedlock
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Mostly used in the set phrases "in wedlock" and "out of wedlock"; rarely used as a plain everyday word for marriage.
Etymology
From Old English wedlāc ("marriage vow, pledge") — built from wed plus an old suffix meaning "action" or "practice," seen also in "knowledge".
Full origin of wedlock →Frequently asked questions
What does “wedlock” mean?
The word “wedlock” means the state of being legally married. In plain terms, a formal, somewhat old-fashioned word for the married state.
How do you pronounce “wedlock”?
“Wedlock” is pronounced WEHD-lok (/ˈwɛd.lɒk/ in IPA).
How do you use “wedlock” in a sentence?
Here is “wedlock” used in a sentence: “The couple had two children born in wedlock.”
What part of speech is “wedlock”?
“Wedlock” is a noun.
Where does the word “wedlock” come from?
The word “wedlock” comes from Old English. From Old English wedlāc ("marriage vow, pledge") — built from wed plus an old suffix meaning "action" or "practice," seen also in "knowledge".