cuckold
Cuckold (noun) means a man whose wife or partner has been unfaithful to him. Example: “The play mocks the jealous cuckold as a comic figure.”
How to use cuckold
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn old-fashioned, often mocking word for a man betrayed by an unfaithful partner.
It's a dated, somewhat comic or insulting term rather than neutral vocabulary — use with care.
Word forms
cuckolded past tense, cuckolds plural, cuckolds singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The play mocks the jealous _____ as a comic figure.
Etymology
From Old French cucuault, built from cucu ("cuckoo") plus a suffix — a reference to cuckoo birds laying eggs in other birds' nests.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “cuckold” mean?
The word “cuckold” means a man whose wife or partner has been unfaithful to him. In plain terms, an old-fashioned, often mocking word for a man betrayed by an unfaithful partner.
How do you pronounce “cuckold”?
“Cuckold” is pronounced KUH-kohld (/ˈkʌ.koʊld/ in IPA).
How do you use “cuckold” in a sentence?
Here is “cuckold” used in a sentence: “The play mocks the jealous cuckold as a comic figure.”
What is another word for “cuckold”?
Words with a similar meaning to “cuckold” include Acteon, cornuto, cuck, cuckhold, hoddy-peak and skimmington.
What part of speech is “cuckold”?
Depending on how it is used, “cuckold” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “cuckold” come from?
The word “cuckold” comes from Old French. From Old French cucuault, built from cucu ("cuckoo") plus a suffix — a reference to cuckoo birds laying eggs in other birds' nests.
How many meanings does “cuckold” have?
“Cuckold” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a man whose wife or partner has been unfaithful to him.