common-law marriage
noun
1
: a marriage recognized in some jurisdictions and based on the parties' agreement to consider themselves married and sometimes also on their cohabitation
2
: the cohabitation of a couple even when it does not constitute a legal marriage
Word History
First Known Use
1842, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Legal Definition
common-law marriage
noun
: a marriage that is without a ceremony and is based on the parties' agreement to consider themselves married and usually also on their cohabitation for a period and their public recognition of the marriage compare concubinage
Note: Most jurisdictions no longer allow this type of marriage to be formed, although they may recognize such marriages formed prior to a certain date or formed in a jurisdiction that does permit common-law marriages.
common-law marriages
noun
as in mixed marriages
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- mixed marriages
- civil unions
- domestic partnerships
- miscegenations
- cohabitations
- bigamies
- remarriages
- polygamies
- intermarriages
- polyandries
- relationships
- monogamies
- polygynies
- wedlocks
- commitments
- matrimonies
- proposals
- attachments
- conjugalities
- promises
- marriages
- betrothals
- hands
- espousals
- engagements
- pledges
- connubialities
- troths
- matches
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- divorces
- separations
- annulments
- housesits
- housesitting
- housesmith
- housetop
- housetops
- housetrained
- housetraining
- housetrains
- houseward
- housewares
- housewareses
- housewaresses
- housewarming
- housewarmings
- housewife
- housewifeliness
- housewifelinesses
- housewifely
- housewiferies
- housewifery
- housewifey
- housewifish
- housewives
- housework
- houseworker