fornicate Meaning & Definition
What Does Fornicate Mean?
Fornicate is used as a verb meaning To engage in fornication. As an adjective, it means Shaped like an arch or vault; resembling a fornix.
Fornicate: Key Facts
| Part of speech | verb, adjective |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈfɔː.nɪ.kət/ |
| Syllables | 3 |
| Synonyms | have sex, make love and seduce |
| Comparative / superlative | more fornicate, most fornicate |
| Verb forms | fornicates, fornicating, fornicated |
Fornicate Definition (Verb)
- To engage in fornication.
Fornicate as an Adjective
- Shaped like an arch or vault; resembling a fornix.
Verb
- To engage in fornication; to have sex, especially illicit sex.
Synonyms of Fornicate
Fornicate synonyms and antonyms →Word Forms & Grammar
fornicate (third-person singular simple present fornicates, present participle fornicating, simple past and past participle fornicated)
fornicate (comparative more fornicate, superlative most fornicate)
Origin of Fornicate
Origin 1: First attested in 1552; borrowed from Latin fornicātus, perfect active participle of fornicor (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from fornix (“arch, vault; brothel”). It was customary for courtesans of the era to wait for their customers out of the rain in arched passageways.
Origin 2: First attested in 1828; from fornix + -ate (adjective-forming suffix).
Fornicate Pronunciation
Fornicate is pronounced /ˈfɔː.nɪ.kət/ and has 3 syllables, with the main stress on the first syllable (fɔː).
Fornicate: Your Questions Answered
Is fornicate a verb or an adjective?
Fornicate is mainly used as a verb, but it can also be used as an adjective.
What is another word for fornicate?
You can replace fornicate with words such as have sex, make love and seduce. See the full list of fornicate synonyms and antonyms.
What is the past tense of fornicate?
The past tense of fornicate is fornicated. The present participle is fornicating.
What are the comparative and superlative forms of fornicate?
The comparative form is more fornicate and the superlative form is most fornicate.