# Mari

/ˈmɑɹi/ (US) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/mari
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

an old word for a husband. It was used a long time ago in English but is not common today.

For teachers: a husband. Primarily found in historical literature or legal contexts.

## Examples

- The old story tells of a woman and her mari.
- In certain historical legal documents, the term mari was used to identify the husband's role in a marriage contract.
- The poet employed the archaic term mari to evoke a sense of medieval chivalry and tradition that modern vocabulary could not quite capture.

## Usage notes

- Archaic; almost entirely replaced by 'husband' in modern English.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.