What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
unwed
Example
She's an unwed mother raising her child on her own. [unwed: adjective]
Example
He's still unwed at the age of 40. [unwed: adjective]
single
Example
I'm currently single and not looking for a relationship. [single: adjective]
Example
She's been single her whole life and is happy that way. [single: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Single is more commonly used than unwed in everyday language. Single is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while unwed is less common and may sound old-fashioned or formal.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between unwed and single?
Unwed is more formal than single and may be used in legal or official contexts. Single is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
