verb
fornicate
FAW-nih-kayt
Fornicate (verb) means to have sexual intercourse, especially outside marriage.
verb
1
To have sexual intercourse, especially outside marriage.
"The old law forbade unmarried couples to fornicate."
How to use fornicate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA formal or old-fashioned word for having sex, often used in a moral or religious context.
When to use it
Mostly used in religious, legal, or formal writing rather than everyday speech.
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- fornicates
- Past tense
- fornicated
- Comparative
- more fornicate
- Superlative
- most fornicate
Etymology
From Latin fornicari, from fornix, "an arch or vaulted passageway" — a word also used for brothels, since prostitutes in ancient Rome often waited for clients under archways.
Rhymes for fornicate
See all rhymes for fornicate →Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of fornicate?
"fornicate" (verb) means to have sexual intercourse, especially outside marriage.
How do you use fornicate in a sentence?
Example: "The old law forbade unmarried couples to fornicate."
