German word

ledig

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈleːdɪç/

Meaning

  • adjectivesingle

Example

Er ist ledig.

He is single.

Illustration for ledig (single)

More examples

Im Melderegister steht er als ledig.

He is listed as unmarried in the population register.

Core concept

A person is free of the tie that marriage creates, whether or not companionship is present.

Common phrases

  • standesamtlich ledig sein

    be officially unmarried

  • ledig gemeldet sein

    be listed as unmarried

Similar words

unverheiratet: Not currently married, stated in a straightforward descriptive way.
single: Without a spouse or partner, in a casual personal-status sense.
alleinstehend: Living as a single person without a spouse or cohabiting partner.
geschieden: Previously married and now unmarried following a divorce.

Definition in German

Nicht verheiratet; ohne Ehepartner.

Word origin

German ledig is an inherited Germanic adjective from Middle High German ledic, whose earlier sense was free or unbound.

Usage tips

  • Unlike English single, ledig focuses on marital status and can sound more administrative; unverheiratet is a neutral descriptive alternative.

Other meanings

  • unmarriedadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • Ledigkeitthe state of being unmarriednoun
  • lediglichonlyadverb

Word lists with this word