How Do You Spell UNMARRIED?

Pronunciation: [ʌnmˈaɹɪd] (IPA)

The word "unmarried" is spelt as /ˌʌnˈmærɪd/, consisting of four syllables with the primary stress on the second syllable. IPA phonetic transcription shows that the "un-" prefix is pronounced as /ʌn/ meaning 'not', while the stem word "married" is pronounced as /ˈmærɪd/. The word derives its meaning from the negative prefix 'un-' which negates the state of being married. Common synonyms for "unmarried" include single, unwed, and celibate.

UNMARRIED Meaning and Definition

  1. Unmarried is an adjective that describes an individual who is not currently legally or formally wedded to another person. It typically refers to someone who has never entered into marriage or has dissolved their previous marital union through divorce or death of their spouse. The term primarily pertains to one's civil or legal status, indicating the absence of a legally recognized marriage.

    Being unmarried can encompass a wide range of personal circumstances, including those who have chosen to remain single, individuals who are in committed partnerships without the legally binding agreement of marriage, or those who are engaged but have not yet formalized their union. While the term often conveys the absence of a life partner, it does not imply anything about an individual's current relationship, dating status, or lack thereof.

    Societal attitudes towards unmarried individuals have evolved over time, with a greater emphasis on personal choices and freedom in modern times. The concept of unmarried individuals has become more widely accepted, and legal recognition of alternative forms of cohabitation, such as civil partnerships or common-law relationships, has emerged. Nonetheless, the term unmarried still carries a sense of not being united in matrimony and can be used to describe someone who is not legally married, regardless of any other personal or romantic affiliations.

  2. Having no husband or no wife.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for UNMARRIED *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for UNMARRIED

Etymology of UNMARRIED

The word "unmarried" is derived from two separate parts: "un-" and "married".

The prefix "un-" is of Old English origin, which comes from the Proto-Germanic language. It denotes negation or reversal, suggesting the absence of something. In this case, "un-" signifies the absence or lack of marriage.

The word "married" comes from the Old English word "mǣġ(e)d" or "gemǣġ(e)d", which means "to have a husband or wife". It is thought to have derived from a Proto-Germanic word "gamajjan" or "gamēdan", meaning "to give in marriage".

Thus, when the prefix "un-" is added to "married", it forms the word "unmarried", representing someone who is not currently wedded or lacking a spouse.

Similar spelling words for UNMARRIED

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