What is adultery Meaning and Definition
What is adultery
Pronunciation
🔊
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
The act of committing sexual intercourse with someone other than one’s lawful spouse, while still being married.
Synonyms
- Infidelity
- Unfaithfulness
- Fornication
Antonyms
- Fidelity
- Loyalty
- Monogamy
Etymology
The word “adultery” comes from the Latin “adulterium”, meaning “illegitimate sexual intercourse”, which is derived from “adulter”, meaning “to corrupt”
Usage Notes
Adultery is typically considered a serious offense in many cultures and societies, and can lead to severe consequences including divorce, legal penalties, and damage to one’s reputation.
Cultural References
The concept of adultery has been explored in numerous works of literature, film, and television, including Shakespeare’s play “Othello”, the novel ” Madame Bovary”, and the TV series “Mad Men”
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- To play the part of the virtuous wife, while committing adultery in secret
- A woman may be a virtuous wife and a woman of ill-fame
Related Words or Phrases
- Adulteress
- Adulterer
- Fornication
Collocations
- Adultery is a sin
- He is guilty of adultery
Frequency of Use
The word “adultery” is relatively rare in modern language, but it is still used in certain contexts to describe sexual infidelity.