born out of wedlock
Parents weren't married
Born out of wedlock describes a child whose parents were not married to each other at the time of birth.
The phrase is formal and somewhat old-fashioned, appearing mainly in legal contexts and historical documents: He was born out of wedlock and never knew his father.
The term carries less stigma than it once did, as unmarried parenthood has become more common.
Not authorized or recognized
- natural childChild of unmarried parents
- lovechildOffspring of unmarried parents
- extramaritalOutside the marriage bond
- nonmaritalOutside wedlock
misbegotten · spurious · bastard · fatherless · unwed mother · single mother · unacknowledged · unrecognized
Child of unmarried parents
- natural childChild of unmarried parents
- by-blowIllegitimate offspring
- acknowledgedAccepted as true
- legitimizedMade lawful or valid
Lawful or rightful status
- inheritanceProperty received from ancestors
- successionFollowing in order
- primogenitureEldest inherits all
- birthrightEntitlement from origin
disinheritance · paternity · acknowledgment · recognition · custody · guardianship · legitimation · legal status
Painful awareness of failure
- disgraceLoss of honor
- scandalDisgraceful public affair
- tabooCultural or social prohibition
- ostracismBanishment from a group
reproach · condemnation · judgment · disapproval · humiliation · ignominy · infamy · disrepute
Study of family descent
- heritageInherited cultural legacy
- bloodlineAncestry through generations
- ancestryFamily line of descent
- parentageFamily line origin
descent · family tree · kinship · pedigree · progenitor · forebears · biological father · paternity
Dwelling together unmarried
- unmarried parentsCaregivers without matrimony
- blended familyHousehold with steprelations
- nontraditionalDeparting from established norms
- domestic partnershipNonmarital cohabiting relationship
co-parenting · civil union · common-law · unplanned pregnancy · birth certificate · paternity test · child support · custody arrangement
illegitimate
Not authorized or recognized
- natural childChild of unmarried parents
- lovechildOffspring of unmarried parents
- extramaritalOutside the marriage bond
nonmarital · misbegotten · spurious · bastard · fatherless · unwed mother · single mother · unacknowledged · unrecognized · nameless
bastard
Child of unmarried parents
- natural childChild of unmarried parents
- by-blowIllegitimate offspring
- acknowledgedAccepted as true
legitimacy
Lawful or rightful status
- inheritanceProperty received from ancestors
- successionFollowing in order
- primogenitureEldest inherits all
birthright · disinheritance · paternity · acknowledgment · recognition · custody · guardianship · legitimation · legal status · heir
shame
Painful awareness of failure
ostracism · reproach · condemnation · judgment · disapproval · humiliation · ignominy · infamy · disrepute · censure
genealogy
Study of family descent
- heritageInherited cultural legacy
- bloodlineAncestry through generations
- ancestryFamily line of descent
parentage · descent · family tree · kinship · pedigree · progenitor · forebears · biological father · paternity · maternity
cohabitation
Dwelling together unmarried
- unmarried parentsCaregivers without matrimony
- blended familyHousehold with steprelations
- nontraditionalDeparting from established norms
domestic partnership · co-parenting · civil union · common-law · unplanned pregnancy · birth certificate · paternity test · child support · custody arrangement · family structure
- illegitimacybastard, illegitimate child, love child, illegitimate, bastardy