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# common-law wife

noun phrase (a common-law wife, common-law wives; also common-law husband, partner)

«common-law wife» in the English dictionary: in the primary school — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: [Elamur Cosmic License](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/LICENSE/). Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

### Meaning

(euphemism, official) a woman who lives with a man as his wife but is not legally married to him.

### In the lessons

Used in law, police reports, news and official forms; polite and formal; in some places it gives legal rights, in others (like England) not. All regions.

### Examples

- He lives with his common-law wife and their two children.
- The news report said the man's common-law wife was at home.
- The form asks if you have a spouse or common-law partner.
- They were together twenty-five years without marrying: she was his common-law wife.
- In Canada a common-law partner has some legal rights.
- The detective questioned the victim's common-law wife.

### Note

It means «unmarried partner who lives with him». Not a «common» or ordinary wife. Rules differ by country.