hypergamy

noun

hy·​per·​ga·​my hī-ˈpər-gə-mē How to pronounce hypergamy (audio)
plural hypergamies
: marriage into an equal or higher caste or social group

Examples of hypergamy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The term 'high-value dating' has 136.6 million views on TikTok, while related phrases such as 'hypergamy' (132m) and 'high-value woman' (106m) are also thrown about regularly. Eve Upton-Clark, refinery29.com, 21 Apr. 2022 Young migrant men will suffer all the more because of a preference among Chinese women for marrying men with more money or education (a practice known as hypergamy). The Economist, 3 May 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hypergamy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hypergamy was in 1883

Dictionary Entries Near hypergamy

Cite this Entry

“Hypergamy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypergamy. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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