conjugal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "conjugal" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in contexts related to marriage or the relationship between married partners, often referring to aspects of marital life or duties. Example: "The couple sought counseling to address their conjugal issues and improve their relationship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Last year Tabsch/Daoud brought us Cherry Pop: The Story of the World's Fanciest Cat and this year they've leapt right into the deep end with Dolphin Lover, about one Florida man's conjugal interspecies relationship with a dolphin.

The Guardian

"This sentiment shocks me deeply – considering that I really am to be tied by the conjugal knot & actually to be blessed by the Church of England: but then the truth always is so shocking and probably nobody is monogamous".

The Guardian

The centenary celebrations will probably play down the conjugal row until June 29, when the pres ident and poets will join in a panegyric to Saint-Exupéry.

The Guardian - Books

"I should have judged her by her deeds not her words," he writes in the book, which is less a childlike fantasy than a parable about the obligations of conjugal love.

The Guardian - Books

After rebels seized the north in 2002, Mrs Gbagbo called on Ivorian women to deny their husbands conjugal rights if they favoured making peace with the rebels.

The Economist

"Happy are the Happy", vivaciously translated from the French by Sarah Ardizzone, charts the conjugal, parental and romantic woes of 18 interconnected characters.

The Economist

Some do so of their own accord, but most have no say in the matter.One such father, an ex-deputy mayor, describes the system as a conjugal version of the prisoner's dilemma.

The Economist

Thinking about conjugal visits has moved on a bit: much of the world offers them.

The Economist

Even in Islamic Iran, some women are choosing education over marriage, exploiting newly relaxed divorce laws or flashing fake wedding rings to secure sole lodgings.The picture is more troubling in China and India, where the dark arts of selection for male babies promise a generation of bachelors with diminished conjugal prospects.

The Economist

Going out to work may not increase conjugal unhappiness, but it certainly gives wives an easier way out.As that escape route began to open up in the middle of the 20th century, it seemed to promise bliss to those wives whose marriages were torture.

The Economist

Paul Nuttall, a British member of the European Parliament, decried a study of the issue as wasteful, complaining that prisons were already like "holiday camps" when they should be a punishment.Yet evidence does suggest that conjugal visits not only reduce prison violence but also reduce recidivism by preserving family ties.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about general marital matters, consider using "marital" or "spousal" for broader appeal and easier comprehension.

Common error

Avoid using "conjugal" interchangeably with terms like "familial" or "domestic" when you specifically intend to refer to the spousal relationship within a marriage. "Conjugal" narrowly focuses on the marital bond, whereas the others have wider applications.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "conjugal" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to specify a relationship to marriage or spouses. Ludwig's examples show it used to describe things like "conjugal rights" and "conjugal visits".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Encyclopedias

33%

Science

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "conjugal" is an adjective that relates specifically to marriage or the relationship between spouses. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used, with many examples found in news and encyclopedic sources. While alternatives like "marital" and "spousal" exist, "conjugal" offers a more precise and formal way to describe the marital bond. Understanding its specific meaning and context will help you use "conjugal" correctly and effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

marital

Refers directly to the state of being married; more general and widely applicable.

connubial

A more formal and literary term pertaining to marriage, often used in legal or ceremonial contexts.

spousal

Relates specifically to spouses and their roles or relationship within a marriage.

nuptial

Connected with marriage ceremonies or weddings; less focused on the ongoing relationship.

wedded

Describes something associated with the state of being married; can also imply a strong commitment.

matrimonial

Pertaining to marriage, particularly in a legal or formal context.

domestic

Relates to the home or family life; broader than "conjugal" but can overlap in meaning.

familial

Concerning family relationships; even broader than "domestic" and less directly tied to marriage.

married

The simplest and most direct term for describing the state of being in a marriage.

partnership-related

A modern, broader term that encompasses both marital and non-marital partnerships.

FAQs

How is "conjugal" typically used in a sentence?

"Conjugal" is generally used to describe something related to the relationship between married people. For example, "conjugal rights" refers to the rights and duties arising from marriage.

What are some alternatives to using "conjugal"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "marital", "spousal", or "connubial".

What does "conjugal visits" mean?

"Conjugal visits" refers to scheduled visits by an inmate's spouse, intended to allow them to maintain their marital relationship.

Is "conjugal" the same as "marital"?

While both relate to marriage, "conjugal" specifically emphasizes the relationship between spouses, whereas "marital" is a broader term pertaining to marriage in general.