unmarried

Unmarried is a descriptor for a person who is not currently in a legally recognized marriage. It includes individuals who have never been married (often described as single) as well as those who were married in the past but are not presently married due to divorce or widowhood. The term denotes a status rather than a personality trait and can change with life events.

Legally, marriage confers certain rights and duties, such as joint taxation, inheritance, and next-of-kin designation. Unmarried status can influence access to benefits or obligations, depending on jurisdiction. Social expectations surrounding unmarried people vary widely by culture and era. In many places, norms around marriage have evolved, with greater acceptance of cohabiting couples, civil unions, and other forms of partnership.

Demographic trends in many countries show a rise in adults who remain unmarried into adulthood, driven by factors such as education, career, economic conditions, and shifting attitudes toward marriage. This has implications for housing, family formation, and social policy.

Related topics include marriage, divorce, widowhood, singlehood, cohabitation, civil union, and domestic partnership.