rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryadulterySex outside marriage
noun

adultery

uh-DUHL-tuh-ree/əˈdʌltəri/

Voluntary sex between a married person and someone other than that person’s spouse.

The novel's affair involves adultery by a married character.

Two fully clothed adults embrace intimately beside a bed, while a visible wedding portrait shows one partner married to a different adult; quiet nonexplicit indication of an affair, no nudity.
Etymology
adulterLatincommit adultery; corrupt
+yOld Frenchcondition or state

Adulterare was used for both corrupting something and committing adultery. The noun names a violation of the marriage bed: voluntary sexual relations outside the marriage.

In context

diligentile4:04
adultery breaks the marriage covenant. Adulterous thoughts do not.
Mortifying the Flesh and Building Hedges Against Sexual Sin - Alistair Begg

More examples

  • She discovered his adultery.
  • The historian studied attitudes toward adultery.
  • The story centered on adultery.

Forms

adultery

Similar words

infidelity
Unfaithfulness more broadly, not always sexual.
affair
A relationship that may or may not involve a married person.