5 syllables: Ex, tra, ma, ri, tal. Stress on ma.
ek-struh-MER-uh-tuhl
/ˌɛkstɹəˈmɛɹətəl/
Extramarital is pronounced ek-struh-MER-uh-tuhl (/ˌɛkstɹəˈmɛɹətəl/). It has five syllables (Ex-tra-ma-ri-tal), with the stress on "ma". Extramarital is an adjective describing relationships, activities, or affairs that occur outside of a marriage, especially romantic or sexual ones. It denotes conduct not sanctioned by the spouse and can carry moral, social, or legal implications in many contexts. The term emphasizes a breach of the marital bond rather than the act itself when used in formal or clinical discussions.
adjectiveExtramarital is an adjective describing relationships, activities, or affairs that occur outside of a marriage, especially romantic or sexual ones. It denotes conduct not sanctioned by the spouse and can carry moral, social, or legal implications in many contexts. The term emphasizes a breach of the marital bond rather than the act itself when used in formal or clinical discussions.
"The couple faced a public scandal after rumors of extramarital affairs surfaced."
"Researchers studied extramarital relationships in the context of changing social norms."
"The book examines the legal consequences of extramarital arrangements in certain jurisdictions."
Extramarital is pronounced /ˌekstrəˈmæ rɪtəl/ in US English or /ˌɛkstrəˈmærɪtəl/ in UK English, with the primary stress on the third syllable: ex-tra-MA-ri-tal. Start with /ˈɛkstrə/ or /ˈɛkstrə/ depending on the accent, then /mær/ or /mær/ and end with /ɪtəl/ or /ɪtəl/. The first two syllables sound like 'ex-tra,' and the stress lands on the 'ma' of '_marital'.
Common mistakes include mis-stressing the word, placing primary stress on the first syllable (ex-TRA-marital) or mispronouncing the 'mar' as /mɑr/ instead of /mær/. Some speakers reduce the middle vowels too aggressively, producing /ɛkstrəˈmætəl/ instead of /ɪkˌstrəˈmærɪtəl/. The correct flow keeps the 'tra' as a quick syllable and preserves /mær/ before the final /ɪtəl/.
In US English, you’ll hear /ˌekstrəˈmæɹɪtəl/ with rhotic /ɹ/ and a slightly reduced middle vowel. UK English tends to have /ˌekstrəˈmærɪtəl/ with non-rhotic accents; the /r/ is less pronounced and the 'a' in 'mar-' is closer to /æ/. Australian accents are rhotic but often feature a broader vowel in the first syllables, yielding /ˌekstrəˈmærɪtəl/ with similar stress to US but with subtle vowel shifts. IPA references help map these nuances precisely.
Two challenging parts are the 'tra' cluster following 'ex' and the 'mar' syllable before 'ital'. The 'x' often reduces to /ɡ/ soundless blend; keep /kstr/ cluster crisp. The 'ma' vowel is short and unstressed in some contexts, while the 'ri' in the middle can verge on /rə/ or /mɪr/ depending on accent. Focus on clean syllable separation and consistent stress on the third syllable: ex-tra-MA-ri-tal.
The word features a four-syllable rhythm with stress on the third syllable; ensure the 'tra' is not swallowed in fast speech and the 'ri' transitions smoothly into 'tal' without a harsh break. In careful speech, you’ll articulate /ek-strə-ˈmær-ɪ-təl/ with a distinct /ær/ in 'ma' and a soft /təl/ at the end. Visualize saying 'ex' + 'tra' + 'ma' + 'ril' but pronounce 'ril' as /təl/.
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Extramarital comes from Latin prefix ex- meaning 'out of' or 'outside', combined with marital from Middle English martiale, from Latin maritālis meaning 'of marriage'. The ex- + marital construction signals something outside the bounds of marriage. The term entered English usage in modern contexts related to social norms and legal discourse about relationships that occur beyond the sanctioned marital bond. Its first attestations appear in late 19th to early 20th century texts discussing morality and domestic life, with rapid adoption in psychology, sociology, and law in the mid-20th century as the language of infidelity and extramarital affairs became a focal point in studies of intimate relationships and family dynamics.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Extramarital" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "Extramarital"
-lar sounds
-sal sounds
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