Infidelity Meaning

/ˌɪnfɪˈdɛlɪti/
C1

Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.

Listen pronunciation

nounUnfaithfulness in a marriage or an intimate (sexual or romantic) relationship: practice or instance of having a sexual or romantic affair with someone other than one's spouse, without the consent of the spouse.

nounUnfaithfulness in some other moral obligation.

She's warning me about his infidelity.
Tom is finding it hard to come to terms with Mary's infidelity.
Dania had to cope with years of abuse and infidelity.
Synonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The marriage ended after one partner's ____ was discovered by the other through text messages.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The famous actor's marriage ended quickly after rumors of his ____ appeared in the news.

From Middle English infidelite, from Middle French infidelité (modern French infidélité) and its etymon Latin īnfidēlitās. Equivalent to infidel + -ity.

"Your friends tell you rumors about your girlfriend's infidelity or you remember being broken up around the time the baby was conceived." — 2013, William G. Staples, Everyday Surveillance: Vigilance and Visibility, →ISBN, page 155:
"It was disastrous that England's infidelity towards Frederick the Great — which no one, not even a German, condemned more strongly than did William Pitt — had to affect one of the most popular heroes of our national history." — 1937, Arnold Oskar Meyer, England in German opinion throughout the centuries, page 6:
"The means used to this purpose are partly didactical, and partly protreptical; demonstrating the truth of the gospel, and then urging the professors of those truths to be stedfast^([sic]) in the faith, and to beware of infidelity." — 1674, Seth Ward, Seven Sermons:

Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words

CEFR Practice Quiz
The marriage ended after one partner's ____ was discovered by the other through text messages.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The famous actor's marriage ended quickly after rumors of his ____ appeared in the news.

Expand Your Vocabulary with LexUp

Master English words using smart flashcards, play exciting word rounds, and compete with other learners worldwide.

Browse CEFR Words Alphabetically