unmarried
UK: ʌnˈmærɪd | US: ʌnˈmærɪd
adj. not married; single
The word "unmarried" combines the prefix "un-" (Old English "un-," meaning "not") with the root "marry" (from Old French "marier," meaning "to wed," derived from Latin "maritare") and the suffix "-ed" (indicating an adjective form). The prefix "un-" negates the state of being married, creating a clear opposite meaning. This structure follows a common pattern in English where "un-" is added to adjectives to form their negatives (e.g., "happy" → "unhappy").
She remained unmarried throughout her life.
The tax benefits differ for married and unmarried couples.
He introduced himself as an unmarried man in his forties.
Unmarried partners often face legal challenges in inheritance cases.
The survey compared the lifestyles of married and unmarried individuals.