adulterous

[ uh-duhl-ter-uhs ]

adjective

1. characterized by or involved in adultery; illicit:

   an adulterous relationship.

adulterous

/ əˈdʌltərəs /

adjective

1. of, characterized by, or inclined to adultery
2. an obsolete word for adulterate

Derived Forms

• aˈdulterously, adverb

Other Words From

• a·dulter·ous·ly adverb
• una·dulter·ous adjective
• una·dulter·ous·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of adulterous¹

First recorded in 1400–50; adulter(y) + -ous; replacing late Middle English avoutrious, advouterose

Example Sentences

Your mileage may vary depending on how much this sort of drama appeals to you, but while the rethinking of these characters is conceptually interesting, even intriguing, after a time, I did find their internal squabbling, adulterous sexcapades and thoughtless cruelty increasingly tedious.

From Los Angeles Times

His popular characters, including an entitled fraternity brother, an agitated airport security agent and an adulterous warehouse worker, helped him amass millions of followers on Instagram and TikTok.

From New York Times

Rush appeared as Marsha Russell, a woman caring for her teen daughter amid a messy divorce with an adulterous husband.

From Los Angeles Times

It was to Mr. Badinter that Mr. Mitterrand turned in 1984 to countersign, in strict secrecy, the document in which the president recognized Mazarine Pingeot, his daughter from an adulterous relationship.

From New York Times

Three female servicemembers are accusing Nauta of adulterous and inappropriate relationships with lower-ranking personnel.

From Salon

Related Words

• cheating
• extracurricular
• illicit