infidelity

[in-fi-del-i-tee]

noun

plural

infidelities 

1. marital disloyalty; adultery.

2. unfaithfulness; disloyalty.

3. lack of religious faith, especially Christian faith.

4. a breach of trust or a disloyal act; transgression.

infidelity

/ ˌɪnfɪˈdɛlɪtɪ /

noun

1. lack of faith or constancy, esp sexual faithfulness

2. lack of religious faith; disbelief

3. an act or instance of disloyalty

Word History and Origins

Origin of infidelity¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin infidēlitās; equivalent to infidel + -ity

Example Sentences

Numerous flashbacks include Lobb’s diary entries, which lay bare his marital infidelity and family abandonment for a second marriage to a woman not much older than his children.

From Los Angeles Times

This is "a small step for women to speak out about the infidelity and violence they face", she says.

From BBC

She also raps about his apparent infidelity, commenting that she "could've cheated too".

From BBC

For many, that meant putting up with their spouse’s infidelities and abuses.

From Salon

His 1968 version of “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” a song about a man tormented by rumors of his lover’s infidelity, was a No. 1 hit.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• adultery 
• affair 
• betrayal 
• duplicity 
• treachery