matrimonial
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
- matrimonially adverb
- nonmatrimonial adjective
- nonmatrimonially adverb
- prematrimonial adjective
- prematrimonially adverb
- unmatrimonial adjective
- unmatrimonially adverb
Etymology
Origin of matrimonial
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English word from Late Latin word mātrimōniālis. See matrimony, -al 1
Explanation
Anything matrimonial has something to do with marriage or married people. A formal way to say "wedding," for example, would be "matrimonial event." Marriage is a matrimonial agreement or bond, and the house a newly wed couple moves into can be called a matrimonial home. Matrimonial law governs the rules of marriage — like the license that declares two people legally married, or the age a person must be, legally, to get married. Originally, matrimonial was a noun meaning "a marriage," and then "a classified ad posted by someone seeking a spouse."
Vocabulary lists containing matrimonial
Bud, Not Buddy
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Vocabulary from Readings 2, Unit 4
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Novel Study: The Namesake, Chapters 1–4
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“However, if the matrimonial pot does not meet the financial needs of both parties, the U.K. family court may consider splitting pre-marital assets acquired before marriage, as we explain below,” the law firm adds.
From MarketWatch • Feb. 17, 2026
But their partnership and matrimonial bliss dissolves as soon as their sleds hit the track.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 13, 2026
The singer returns to the matrimonial analogies to describe the myriad musicality and collabs of his storied solo career.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 20, 2025
Lawyers for Ms Vince, 50, said her ex-husband, 63, had been giving away their matrimonial assets in a "wanton and reckless" fashion.
From BBC • Jan. 17, 2025
But various paw injuries hinted at matrimonial strife.
From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
