divorce
[ dih-vawrs, -vohrs ]
/ dɪˈvɔrs, -ˈvoʊrs /
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noun
a judicial declaration dissolving a marriage in whole or in part, especially one that releases the marriage partners from all matrimonial obligations.Compare judicial separation.
any formal separation of husband and wife according to established custom.
total separation; disunion: a divorce between thought and action.
verb (used with object), di·vorced, di·vorc·ing.
verb (used without object), di·vorced, di·vorc·ing.
to get a divorce.
SYNONYMS FOR divorce
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Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?
First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.
First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.
First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.
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OTHER WORDS FROM divorce
Words nearby divorce
division sign, divisive, divisiveness, divisor, divo, divorce, divorce court, divorcée, divorcement, divorce mill, divot
Definition for divorce (2 of 2)
divorcé
[ dih-vawr-sey, -vohr-, -vawr-sey, -vohr- ]
/ dɪ vɔrˈseɪ, -voʊr-, -ˈvɔr seɪ, -ˈvoʊr- /
noun
a divorced man.
Origin of divorcé
First recorded in 1805–15; from French, noun use of masculine past participle of divorcer, from Medieval Latin dīvortiāre “to divorce,” derivative of Latin dīvortium “separation”; see divorce
usage note for divorcé
See fiancée.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for divorce
British Dictionary definitions for divorce (1 of 2)
divorce
/ (dɪˈvɔːs) /
noun
the dissolution of a marriage by judgment of a court or by accepted custom
a judicial decree declaring a marriage to be dissolved
a separation, esp one that is total or complete
verb
to separate or be separated by divorce; give or obtain a divorce (to a couple or from one's spouse)
(tr) to remove or separate, esp completely
Derived forms of divorce
divorceable, adjectivedivorcer, noundivorcive, adjectiveWord Origin for divorce
C14: from Old French, from Latin dīvortium from dīvertere to separate; see divert
British Dictionary definitions for divorce (2 of 2)
divorcé
/ (dɪˈvɔːseɪ) /
noun
a man who has been divorced
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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