conjugal

American  

[kon-juh-guhl] / ˈkɒn dʒə gəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of marriage.

   conjugal vows.

   Synonyms:

   connubial, nuptial, matrimonial

2. pertaining to the relation between marriage partners.

   Synonyms:

   marital

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conjugal British  

/ ˌkɒndʒʊˈɡælɪtɪ, ˈkɒndʒʊɡəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to marriage or the relationship between husband and wife

   conjugal rights

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conjugal Cultural  

1. A descriptive term for the relationship between married persons. A conjugal family is the same as a nuclear family, composed of married parents and their children. Conjugal relatives (in-laws) trace their relations through the marriage of their respective blood relatives.

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Usage

What does conjugal mean? Conjugal means relating to marriage, but it is perhaps best known for its use in conjugal visit, in a which prisoner is allowed to visit privately with their spouse for the purpose of having sexual relations. Otherwise, conjugal is often used in legal or religious contexts in discussions about particular aspects of marriage. Example: Gary and Sam got married in 1990 and have been living in conjugal bliss ever since.

Other Word Forms

• conjugality noun
• conjugally adverb
• nonconjugal adjective
• nonconjugality noun
• nonconjugally adverb
• unconjugal adjective

Etymology

Origin of conjugal

1535–45; < Latin conjugālis, equivalent to con- con- + jug ( um ) yoke ¹ + -ālis -al ¹

Explanation

The adjective conjugal describes all husband-and-wife matters, so if someone who is married says, "Single people don't understand how I feel," you can be sure it's a conjugal situation. The word conjugal comes from the Latin word, conjux, meaning "husband, wife." You’ve no doubt heard of the term “conjugal visits,” to describe private visits between a prisoner and a spouse. But it can describe anything that happens between married people, such as conjugal obligations, which are the things you do to keep a marriage going, or just general conjugal, or married, life.

Example Sentences

His handling of “By the Sea,” the Act 2 duet with Margherita, forensically details Sweeney’s growing distaste for the conjugal fantasies of his partner in crime.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 3, 2026

The law will erase an ambiguity that has persisted despite there being no explicit mention of "conjugal duty" in any legal text.

From BBC • Jan. 29, 2026

"She is a most sweet and intimate companion, and an entire friend; there is no stricter or sweeter friendship than conjugal; as it was the first in the world, so it is most natural."

From Salon • Oct. 8, 2022

Oklahoma does not allow conjugal visits, even for newly married inmates, but Rodger said they were able to hold hands and kiss during Tuesday’s ceremony.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 30, 2022

I start noticing small signs of conjugal existence.

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel