Cuckolded: meaning, definitions and examples

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cuckolded

 

[ ˈkʌk.əʊldɪd ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

relationship betrayal

To be cuckolded means to have one's spouse or partner engage in infidelity, particularly with another man. This term traditionally refers to a man whose wife has been unfaithful, often leading to feelings of humiliation and betrayal. The word has roots in the cuckoo bird, known for laying its eggs in the nests of other birds, metaphorically reflecting a similar situation in human relationships.

Synonyms

betrayed, deceived, wronged

Examples of usage

  • He discovered he was cuckolded after seeing messages on her phone.
  • The backstory of the play revolves around a man who feels cuckolded by his close friend.
  • Many ancient texts discuss the themes of being cuckolded.

Translations

Translations of the word "cuckolded" in other languages:

🇵🇹 cornificado

🇮🇳 धोखा दिया गया

🇩🇪 betrogen

🇮🇩 dikhianati

🇺🇦 обдурений

🇵🇱 oszukany

🇯🇵 寝取られた

🇫🇷 trompé

🇪🇸 engañado

🇹🇷 aldatılan

🇰🇷 배신당한

🇸🇦 مخدوع

🇨🇿 podvedený

🇸🇰 podvedený

🇨🇳 被背叛的

🇸🇮 prevaran

🇮🇸 svikinn

🇰🇿 алдаған

🇬🇪 მოღალატე

🇦🇿 aldadılmış

🇲🇽 engañado

Word origin

The term 'cuckold' has origins in the 12th century from the Old French word 'cucul', which is derived from the Latin 'cuculus', meaning 'cuckoo'. The cuckoo bird is associated with laying its eggs in other birds' nests, which has drawn a semblance to a spouse being unfaithful. The usage of 'cuckold' became popularized in medieval literature and was often used to symbolize the shame and disgrace that a man might endure from his partner's betrayal. Over time, 'cuckolded' evolved as a verb form, highlighting the act of being subjected to such betrayal. The concept has been explored in various forms of art, including Shakespearean plays, where themes of jealousy and dishonor are prevalent.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #37,097, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.