common-law marriage

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

And if people think common-law marriage is a good alternative, think again.

From Los Angeles Times • May 24, 2024

Knight, a confederate army deserter, was in a common-law marriage with a former slave.

From The Guardian • Dec. 29, 2015

Lawmakers here are considering a bill that would dub the ukulele the official state instrument, a designation that seems in some ways like a formal ceremony for a common-law marriage.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 13, 2014

This was just enough time to run down to the courthouse for a civil ceremony, which formalized what was already a common-law marriage.

From Slate • Feb. 5, 2013

This condition is what prompted Marcus Aurelius to recognize as legal the common-law marriage and say if a couple called themselves husband and wife, they were.

From Little Journeys to the Homes of the Great Philosophers, Volume 8 by Hubbard, Elbert