extramarital

American  

[ek-struh-mar-i-tl] / ˌɛk strəˈmær ɪ tl /

adjective

1. pertaining to sexual relations with someone other than one's spouse.

   extramarital affairs.

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extramarital British  

/ ˌɛkstrəˈmærɪtəl /

adjective

1. (esp of sexual relations) occurring outside marriage

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Etymology

Origin of extramarital

First recorded in 1925–30; extra- + marital

Explanation

The word extramarital describes relationships that happen outside of a marriage, between two people who aren't married to each other. An extramarital affair can damage a marriage. The adjective extramarital is almost always used to describe a romantic relationship or encounter that happens between a married person and someone who is not the person's spouse. If a married man sneaks off to meet his secret girlfriend, you can say that the man is having an extramarital affair. In this case, the Latin prefix extra means "outside," and marital comes from the Latin maritalis, "of marriage or married people."

Example Sentences

During the trial, the court heard how Richins, 35, had racked up millions of dollars in debt, had taken out life insurance policies on her husband, and was having an extramarital affair.

From BBC • Mar. 16, 2026

While Juan Carlos acknowledges personal missteps, including financial scandals and extramarital affairs, critics say the memoir is largely an effort at image rehabilitation.

From Barron's • Nov. 8, 2025

Villaraigosa also drew national attention for his high-profile missteps, including an extramarital affair with Telemundo reporter and anchor Mirthala Salinas that led to the breakup of his marriage of two decades.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 9, 2024

In February, the Los Angeles Times published a heart-wrenching feature about how Garvey has ostracized at least three of his seven children, including two he had during those extramarital affairs of the late ’80s.

From Slate • May 29, 2024

Women who claim their husbands are not doing their share of their housework or who want to put a stop to an extramarital affair bring the matter before a judge.

From "Dreaming in Cuban" by Cristina García