premarital

[ pree-mar-i-tl ]

/ priˈmær ɪ tl /

Save This Word!

adjective

preceding marriage.

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

who

whom

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of premarital

First recorded in 1885–90; pre- + marital

Words nearby premarital

Preludin, prelusion, prelusive, prem., Premarin, premarital, premature, premature ejaculation, premaxilla, premed, premedical

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use premarital in a sentence

In Liberty’s case, the policy has been expanded in recent years to protect students who self-report violations of the Liberty Way, including premarital sex.
“The Liberty Way”: How Liberty University Discourages and Dismisses Students’ Reports of Sexual Assaults|by Hannah Dreyfus, photography by Sarah Blesener for ProPublica|October 24, 2021|ProPublica
The Gallup poll numbers have steadily declined going back to May 2001, when 42 percent of respondents found premarital sex morally unacceptable.
1 in 4 Americans Still Oppose Premarital Sex|Sean Braswell|October 24, 2020|Ozy
Much of the series was turned over to moralistic preaching about the evils of premarital sex.
‘7th Heaven’ Dad Stephen Collins and the Christian Right’s Real Morality Tale|Amanda Marcotte|October 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Volunteers were asked about masturbation and their thoughts on premarital sex, but not about their girlfriends or friendships.
What Harvard’s Grant Study Reveals about Happiness and Life|Dan Slater|November 7, 2012|DAILY BEAST

His 1973 doctorate dissertation on sex education was titled “Sexual Socialization and Premarital Sexual Behavior.”
Graham Spanier: Penn State’s Next Indictment?|Diane Dimond|August 24, 2012|DAILY BEAST
People often married young within the Sea Org, as premarital sex was forbidden.
Scientology’s Sea Org: A Story of Escape for Katie Holmes and Suri Cruise|Abigail Pesta|July 6, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Look no further than the outrage over premarital sex, even after the advent of birth control.
The Case for Cohabitation|Hannah Seligson|April 18, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Everyone needs and should have premarital counseling, if only to help them to this all important insight.
Herein is Love|Reuel L. Howe
For this reason the strictest premarital examination by a competent physician should be required.
The Good Housekeeping Marriage Book|Various
Tim Fisher obviously desired extramarital relations with Mrs. Bagley—or was it premarital relations?
The Fourth R|George Oliver Smith
But they wouldn't be premarital with Tim unless he followed through and married Mrs. Bagley.
The Fourth R|George Oliver Smith

British Dictionary definitions for premarital

premarital

/ (priːˈmærɪtəl) /

adjective

(esp of sexual relations) occurring before marriageCompare extramarital

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012