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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.

See Examples For:

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

During the first phase, which would, in effect, be a trial marriage, the young couple would be required to agree not to have children.

From Time Magazine Archive

The idea of trial marriage is nothing new; secular freethinkers have been proposing it for a number of years.

From Time Magazine Archive

Judge: We thought we believed in trial marriage.

From Why Marry? by Williams, Jesse Lynch

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