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Synonyms

trial marriage

American  

noun

  1. an arrangement by which a couple live together for a period of time to see if they are compatible for marriage.


Etymology

Origin of trial marriage

First recorded in 1920–25

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.

I’m also assuming this is a one-year trial marriage of the new coaching staff and the existing coach-killing quarterback.

From Chicago Tribune • Jan. 22, 2015

A man whose own marriages had proved something of a trial, he was a staunch advocate of trial marriage.

From Time Magazine Archive

Says Dr. Edward Craig Hobbs of Berkeley's Episcopal Church Divinity School of the Pacific: "Something like trial marriage would be vastly superior to our present system, which is marriage, divorce and remarriage."

From Time Magazine Archive

"We are not talking of trial marriage," he explained.

From Time Magazine Archive

A modern lover, as I have said before, would reject the very idea of such a trial marriage with the utmost scorn and indignation, because he feels certain that his love is eternal and unalterable.

From Primitive Love and Love-Stories by Finck, Henry Theophilus