VOOZH about

URL: https://www.wordreference.com/definition/wedlock

⇱ wedlock - WordReference.com Dictionary of English

wedlock

Listen:
UK:**UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/ˈwɛdlɒk/US:USA pronunciation: IPA and respellingUSA pronunciation: IPA/ˈwɛdˌlɑk/ ,USA pronunciation: respelling(wed′lok′)


WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
wed•lock /ˈwɛdˌlɑk/USA pronunciation   n. [uncountable]
  1. the state of being married;
    matrimony.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
wed•lock  (wed′lok′),USA pronunciation n. 
  1. the state of marriage;
    matrimony.
  • Middle English wedlok, Old English wedlāc literally, a pledging, equivalent. to wed pledge (see wed) + -lāc verbal noun, nominal suffix bef. 1100

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
wedlock /ˈwɛdlɒk/ n
  1. the state of being married
  2. born out of wedlock ⇒ born when one's parents are not legally married
Etymology: Old English wedlāc, from wedd pledge + -lāc, suffix denoting activity, perhaps from lāc game, battle (related to Gothic laiks dance, Old Norse leikr)
'wedlock' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
Advertisements
Advertisements
Report an inappropriate ad.
WordReference.com
WORD OF THE DAY
GET THE DAILY EMAIL!
Become a WordReference Supporter to view the site ad-free.
Firefox users: use search shortcuts for the fastest search of WordReference.
Copyright © 2026 WordReference.com
Please report any problems.