Divorced
/dɪˈvɔːrst/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo legally dissolve the marriage of (a person or couple).
/dɪˈvɔːrs/
To legally end a marriage.
She divorced her husband after a long and difficult relationship.
💡 Simply: Imagine a wedding cake getting cut in half to represent the end of a marriage. When people decide to divorce, the government makes it official.
👶 For kids: When a married couple decides they don't want to be married anymore, they get divorced, like breaking up.
More Examples
The couple divorced after only a year of marriage.
He divorced his wife to marry someone else.
How It's Used
"The couple divorced after ten years of marriage."
"They decided to divorce due to irreconcilable differences."
Having had one's marriage legally dissolved.
/dɪˈvɔːrst/
Having been divorced; no longer married.
He is divorced and looking for a new partner.
💡 Simply: It's like when the marriage is over, and the person is now single again, legally.
👶 For kids: When a grown-up used to be married, but now they're not anymore because they got a divorce, they are divorced.
More Examples
She is a divorced mother of three.
The divorced man was happy to be single again.
How It's Used
"She is a divorced woman with two children."
"The court granted a divorce decree to the divorced couple."
From Middle English *divorsen*, from Old French *divorcer*, from Latin *divortium* 'separation, divorce', from *divertere* 'to turn aside, separate'.
The term has existed since the Middle Ages, reflecting evolving societal views on marriage and its dissolution. Its usage has increased due to changing social norms.
Memory tip
Think of the 'divorce' court, which is a legal process.
Practice
Word Origin
Root: divertere