Thematic Vocabulary Unit Nº 10 Version 07
Single State
- single man/woman |adj| not married, or not involved in a romantic relationship with anyone.
- “Chris is 45 and still single.”
- “The changes in tax rates will benefit single people the most.”
- unengadged |adj| not promised in marriage.
- unpledged |adj| not promised in marriage.
- unpromised |adj| not promised in marriage.
- “Without obligation.”
More Relative
- engaged |adj| having formally agreed to marry someone in the future.
- “Jane and Pete have just got engaged.”
- live together |adj| to share a home and have a sexual relationship, but not be married.
- “More and more couples are choosing to live together rather than get married.”
- married |adj| having a husband or wife.
- “How long have you been married?”
- “A married couple.”
- separated |adj| no longer living with your husband or wife because of problems in your marriage.
- “I think Joan and Brian are separated now.”
- divorced |adj| no longer married because you have legally ended your marriage.
- widowed |adj| no longer married because your husband or wife has died.
- “He’s a widowed father of two.”
Bachelorhood and Spinsterhood
- bachelorhood |adj| the time in a man’s life before he is married.
- bachelor |adj| a man who is not and has never been married.
- bachelor girl |adj| a young unmarried woman who lives alone.
- spinsterhood |adj| the state of being a spinster (usually an elderly unmarried woman)
- spinster |adj| a woman who is not married, especially an older woman who is not likely to marry.
- “The house was owned by an elderly spinster.”
Idioms
- “Free and single.”
- “Footloose and fancy-free.”
About Name
- birth name |n| name the surname given a person at birth.
- née |adj| (meaning literally born) used to indicate the maiden or family name of a married woman.ada)
- “Mrs Parker, née Carter.”
- maiden name |n| A woman’s family name before she is married. Used of a surname that is replaced by a woman when she marries. Also called birth name.
