Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

alienation of affection

Definition of alienation of affection

: the diversion of a person's affection from someone who has certain rights or claims to such affection to a third person who is held to be the instigator or cause of the diversion

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

First Known Use of alienation of affection

1647, in the meaning defined above

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about alienation of affection

Statistics for alienation of affection

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for alienation of affection

The first known use of alienation of affection was in 1647

See more words from the same year

Comments on alienation of affection

What made you want to look up alienation of affection? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

auxiliary

Listen to the pronounciation of auxiliary

providing supplementary assistance

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Farm Idioms Quiz

  • cow coming home
  • What does 'poke' refer to in the expression 'pig in a poke'?
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games