˜yÐÄvlog

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View synonyms for

adulterer

[ uh-duhl-ter-er ]

noun

  1. a person who commits adultery.


adulterer

/ əˈ»åÊŒ±ô³ÙÉ™°ùÉ™ /

noun

  1. a person who has committed adultery
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged†2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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˜yÐÄvlog History and Origins

Origin of adulterer1

1350–1400; earlier adulter adulterer (< Latin, back formation from ²¹»å³Ü±ô³Ù±ð°ùÄå°ù±ð to defile; adulterate ) + -er 1; replacing Middle English avouter, avoutrer < Old French < Latin
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˜yÐÄvlog History and Origins

Origin of adulterer1

C16: originally also adulter, from Latin adulter, back formation from ²¹»å³Ü±ô³Ù±ð°ùÄå°ù±ð to adulterate
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Accusations that Nash was an antisemite, adulterer and homophobe began to appear in reviews, gossip sites and news articles, prompting him to appear on “60 Minutes†to refute the claims.

From

After all, Trump is a chronic adulterer who laughs at religious believers behind their backs, but Christian right leaders regard him as close to a messiah figure.

From

Would an inveterate adulterer, careful to keep his worlds apart, let his mistress have free rein in his other life?

From

He is arrogant, an adulterer, a betrayer of his best friend and the cause of near-suicidal alcoholism in the woman who loves him unrequitedly.â€

From

Adam Sandler turns in his finest film performance to date as Howard Ratner, an inveterate gambler, serial adulterer and perpetual hustler who owns a jewelry store in the Diamond District of Manhattan.

From

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About This ˜yÐÄvlog

What doesÌýadulterer mean?

An adulterer is someone who engages in adultery—a consensual sexual relationship or encounter between someone who’s married and a person they’re not married to (who may or may not be married to someone else).

Typically, for something to be considered adultery, at least one of the partners must be married. In other words, the adulterers can be two people who are both married to other people, or a married person and a nonmarried person. In any case, the word adulterer can be applied to both people in the adulterous relationship (not just the one who’s married).

On the other hand, calling someone unfaithful or saying that they cheated means that they engaged in a (usually sexual) relationship while they or the other person (or both) were in a committed relationship with someone else—not necessarily marriage.

When it happens with someone other than one’s spouse, a long-term relationship (often called an affair), a single sexual encounter, or anything in between can be considered to constitute adultery. In some cases, a relationship may even be considered adultery when it’s nonsexual but intimate (this is sometimes called an emotional affair).

The word adultery is especially used in a religious context, in which it’s often considered a sin. It’s also sometimes used in a legal context, such as during divorce proceedings. Adultery is a crime in some places (including in some U.S. states, though people aren’t often charged for it).

Adultery is associated with a considerable amount of stigma. The word adulterer is always used negatively and implies a critical judgment of such actions.

The word adulterer can refer to a person of any gender. The word adulteress, though, specifically refers to a woman who has engaged in adultery. (It has been more common throughout history for women to be blamed—and punished—for adulterous relationships than men.)

Example: He’s a serial adulterer who doesn’t even attempt to hide his affairs.

Where doesÌýadulterer come from?

The first records of the word adulterer come from the 1300s. It ultimately derives from the Latin verb ²¹»å³Ü±ô³Ù±ð°ùÄå°ù±ð, meaning “to defile.†The same word is the basis of the English verb adulterate, meaning “to debase†or “to make impure.†Adulterers are usually adults, but the word adult is based on a different root.

“Thou shalt not commit adultery†is one of the Ten Commandments, and adultery is specifically prohibited by multiple religions and even some laws. It’s in this context that you’re most likely to hear the word adulterer. In the past, adultery was sometimes used in a more general way to refer to any type of sexual activity considered sinful. Today, however, calling someone an adulterer typically means that at least one of the partners in the relationship is married.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to adulterer?

What are some synonyms for adulterer?

What are some words that share a root or word element with adulterer?Ìý

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What are some words that often get used in discussing adulterer?

What are some words adulterer may be commonly confused with?

How isÌýadultererÌýused in real life?

Adulterer is typically used in a judgmental way.

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