extra-conjugal
Definition
- Adjective:
- Outside of marriage: "extra-conjugal" describes something that occurs or exists outside the bounds of a marital relationship, typically referring to sexual or romantic relationships.
Usage Examples
- (A romantic or sexual relationship outside of their marriage.)
- (Relationships that exist beyond the marital bond.)
Advanced Usage
"extra-conjugal relations": a formal or legal term for sexual activities between a married person and someone other than their spouse.
- The court considered evidence of extra-conjugal relations in the divorce proceedings. (Sexual relationships outside the marriage were a factor in the legal case.)
"extra-conjugal child": a child born to a married person from a relationship outside their marriage.
- He acknowledged the extra-conjugal child as his own. (He accepted paternity of the child born from an affair.)
Variants and Related Words
Conjugal (adj): relating to marriage or the relationship between spouses.
- They enjoyed a happy conjugal life. (A happy married life.)
Extra-: a prefix meaning "outside" or "beyond."
- Extraordinary (beyond the ordinary), extracurricular (outside the regular curriculum).
Synonyms
Extramarital: occurring outside of marriage (more common synonym).
- An extramarital affair is the same as an extra-conjugal affair.
Adulterous: involving adultery (a legal or moral term).
- Adulterous behavior implies a breach of marital fidelity.
Related Idioms
"to step out on someone": to be unfaithful to a spouse or partner.
- He was accused of stepping out on his wife. (He was suspected of having an extra-conjugal relationship.)
"to have a fling": to engage in a short, casual sexual relationship outside of a committed partnership.
- She had a fling during a business trip. (A brief extra-conjugal encounter.)