divorce
Intermediate (B1)
IPA: /dɪˈvɔːrs/
KK: /dɪˈvɔrs/
intransitive verb
Definition
To legally end a marriage.
Example
After many years of unhappiness, they decided to divorce.
Tense Forms
Past: divorced
Past Participle: divorced
Conversation
Did you hear that Sarah decided to divorce Tom?
I heard that too, it’s really sad.
Yeah, I can't believe it came to that.
Sometimes it's for the best, though.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
separate
split
dissolve
Antonyms
unite
join
marry
noun
Definition
The legal ending of a marriage between two people.
Example
After many years of marriage, they decided to get a divorce.
Conversation
Did you hear about Mark's divorce?
Yeah, it's really sad how things turned out for him.
I know, I can't believe they decided on a divorce after all those years together.
transitive verb
Definition
To legally end a marriage between two people.
Example
They decided to divorce after many years of being together.
Tense Forms
Past: divorced
Past Participle: divorced
Conversation
I heard that Sarah and Mike decided to divorce.
Really? I thought they were doing well together.
Yeah, I guess they just realized they were divorced from each other emotionally.
Root Explanation
Divorce → It is formed from "dis-" (meaning apart) and "vertere" (meaning to turn). The word describes the act of turning apart or separating from a spouse.
Memory Tip
Think of 'turning apart' ('dis-' means apart and 'vertere' means to turn) when you remember that divorce means to separate from a spouse.
Visually Confused Words
redivorce
undivorced
prodivorce
predivorce
nondivorce
disvoice