noun

marital status

MARR-i-tuhl STAY-tuhs

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Marital status (noun) means a person's legal position with regard to marriage, recorded on official forms as single, married, in a civil partnership, separated, divorced or widowed. Example: “The application asks for your name, date of birth and marital status.”

noun

A person's legal position with regard to marriage, recorded on official forms as single, married, in a civil partnership, separated, divorced or widowed.

"The application asks for your name, date of birth and marital status."

"Employers may not make hiring decisions based on marital status."

How to use marital status

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishWhether you are single, married, divorced or widowed.

When to use it

Formal and bureaucratic; belongs to forms, censuses, tax returns and employment law rather than conversation.

Memory tip

Watch the spelling: marital relates to marriage, while martial relates to war or the military.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

martial status relationship status

Common pairings

change of marital status declare your marital status marital status discrimination

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “marital status” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The application asks for your name, date of birth and _____.

Etymology

From Latin maritalis 'of marriage', from maritus 'husband', plus status 'condition, standing'.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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civil status conjugal status

Rhymes for marital status

status hiatus apparatus

See all rhymes for marital status →

Frequently asked questions

What are the options for marital status?

The usual categories on official forms are single, married, in a civil partnership, separated, divorced and widowed. Some forms add "never married" or "domestic partnership" depending on the country.

What marital status do I put if I live with my partner but am not married?

Legally you are still single unless you have registered a civil partnership. Some forms offer "cohabiting" or "domestic partnership" as a separate option, but this does not change your legal marital status.

What is the difference between marital status and civil status?

They largely overlap. "Civil status" is the broader term used in many legal systems and can cover nationality and parentage as well; "marital status" refers only to whether a person is or has been married.

What is the meaning of marital status?

"marital status" (noun) means a person's legal position with regard to marriage, recorded on official forms as single, married, in a civil partnership, separated, divorced or widowed.