decree absolute

Meaning

1. 1nouncountable

   The final court order that legally ends a marriage and allows both people to remarry.

   Grammar: Countable: apply for the decree absolute; a decree absolute was granted.

   Patterns

   • apply for a decree absolute
   • be granted a decree absolute

   The court granted the decree absolute six weeks after the first order.

   She applied for the decree absolute as soon as she could.

   Until the decree absolute arrives, they are still legally married.

Word forms

Common combinations

apply for a decree absolute

You can apply for a decree absolute once the waiting period ends.

granted a decree absolute

They were granted a decree absolute in March.

decree nisi and decree absolute

A decree nisi must come before a decree absolute.

wait for the decree absolute

He waited for the decree absolute before making plans.

Synonyms and how they differ

final divorce order

Final divorce order is a plain explanation, while decree absolute is the precise legal term in England and Wales.

divorce decree

Divorce decree is the American term for the court's final divorce paper, while decree absolute is British and follows an earlier decree nisi.

divorce certificate

This is an informal label for the final document, not the legal term.

Opposites

Word family

decree noun

an official order

decree verb

to order officially

decree nisi noun

the first order, before the divorce becomes final

absolute adjective

complete and final

Commonly confused: decree absolute or decree nisi?

Practice

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