Word
wedlock
Phoneticswed·lock, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈwɛdˌɫɑk/
UK/wˈɛdlɒk/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. the state of being married. It is an old-fashioned word that people use when they want to sound very formal or serious about marriage.
n. the state of being married. Often used in formal or literary contexts to describe the legal or social status of a married couple.
Examples
“The couple entered into wedlock after a long engagement.”
“The ceremony was a private affair, with only close family witnesses present to mark their entry into wedlock.”
“While the legal aspects of their union were settled quickly, the social implications of entering into wedlock required a much more delicate negotiation of their respective families' expectations.”
Examples
simple
“The couple entered into wedlock after a long engagement.”
contextual
“The ceremony was a private affair, with only close family witnesses present to mark their entry into wedlock.”
complex
“While the legal aspects of their union were settled quickly, the social implications of entering into wedlock required a much more delicate negotiation of their respective families' expectations.”
Real-World Examples
“She was someone who as has been documented, when overseas, came back to a Australia chose to make the courageous decision in 1963 to keep a child out of wedlock.” Etymology
From Middle English wedlok, wedlocke (“wedlock, marriage, matrimony”), from Old English wedlāc (“marriage vow, pledge, plighted troth, wedlock”). By surface analysis, wed + -lock.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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