Definition

1. Noun:
   • Marriage between people from different social, racial, ethnic, or religious groups: The act or practice of marrying someone outside one's own immediate social, ethnic, or religious community.
   • Marriage within a specific group, tribe, or community: The act or practice of marrying only within a defined social, ethnic, or religious group, often as dictated by custom or law. (Note: This meaning is often specified as intra-group marriage, while "intermarriage" more commonly implies marriage between groups).

Usage and Examples

• Noun (Between Groups):
  • The history of the region shows a long tradition of intermarriage between the two cultures.
  • Sociologists study the effects of intermarriage on cultural assimilation.
• Noun (Within a Group):
  • Some ancient laws strictly enforced intermarriage to preserve royal bloodlines. (This usage is less common in modern English and may require context to avoid ambiguity).

Advanced Usage and Notes

• The term "intermarriage" is most frequently used in contemporary English to refer to marriages group boundaries (e.g., interracial, interfaith, interethnic marriage). When referring to marriage a group, terms like "endogamy" or "in-marriage" are often more precise.
• It functions as an uncountable noun when referring to the general practice or phenomenon.
  • Intermarriage was once prohibited by law in many places.
• It can be used as a countable noun when referring to specific instances or types.
  • Their intermarriage was a symbol of unity.

Variants and Related Words

• Intermarry (verb): To marry a person from a different social, racial, or religious group.
  • The two families have intermarried for generations.
• Endogamy (noun): The custom of marrying only within the limits of a local community, clan, or tribe. (A more specific term for marriage a group).
• Exogamy (noun): The custom of marrying outside a community, clan, or tribe.

Synonyms

• Mixed marriage: (Commonly used for marriages between people of different races or religions).
• Cross-cultural marriage: (Emphasizes the union of different cultural backgrounds).

Antonyms

• Endogamy: Marriage within a specific group.
• In-marriage: Marriage within a group.

Noun

1. marriage within one's own tribe or group as required by custom or law
2. marriage to a person belonging to a tribe or group other than your own as required by custom or law