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 marriage
noun
as in mixed marriage
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- mixed marriage
- domestic partnership
- civil union
- cohabitation
- remarriage
- intermarriage
- miscegenation
- polygamy
- relationship
- bigamy
- polygyny
- commitment
- polyandry
- attachment
- monogamy
- proposal
- marriage
- engagement
- promise
- pledge
- betrothal
- matrimony
- espousal
- wedlock
- connubiality
- troth
- conjugality
- match
- hand
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- divorce
- separation
- annulment