Civil Marriage
Definition:
A "civil marriage" is a type of marriage that is performed by a government official, like a judge or a mayor, instead of a religious leader, like a priest or minister.
Usage Instructions:
- Use "civil marriage" when talking about legal marriages that are not based on religious ceremonies. - It is often recognized by law and provides the same legal rights and responsibilities as religious marriages.
Example:
- "John and Lisa decided to have a civil marriage at the town hall instead of a church wedding."
Advanced Usage:
In some countries, civil marriages are necessary for legal recognition of the union, especially for couples who may come from different religious backgrounds.
Word Variants:
- Civilly married (adjective): Describing a couple who are married by civil law. - Civil union: A legal partnership that provides some of the same rights as marriage but is not recognized as marriage.
Different Meaning:
While "civil" usually refers to things related to citizens and government, in this context, it specifically relates to non-religious aspects of marriage.
Synonyms:
- Non-religious marriage - Secular marriage - Legal marriage
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:
- There aren’t specific idioms or phrasal verbs that directly relate to "civil marriage," but you can use phrases like: - "Tie the knot" (to get married, in general). - "Get hitched" (a casual way to say getting married).