What does cuckold mean?
A cuckold is a man whose wife has been unfaithful to him, particularly in a sexual sense. The word derives from the cuckoo, a bird notorious for laying its eggs in other birds' nests — a natural image of deception that medieval writers transferred to marital infidelity. Historically, the cuckold was a stock figure of mockery in European literature and folklore, often depicted with imaginary horns on his head, a symbol so familiar that phrases such as 'making a cuckold of' someone entered everyday language. As a verb, to cuckold a man means to betray him by seducing his wife. Today the term survives chiefly in literary, historical, and scholarly discussion of earlier periods, where it illuminates attitudes toward marriage, honour, and male jealousy; used about a real person it remains deeply insulting. Its long cultural history makes it a valuable word for readers of classic drama and satire.
A man whose wife is unfaithful to him.
"The jealous husbands who populated Restoration comedy were forever terrified of being made cuckolds."
To make a man a cuckold by seducing or having sexual relations with his wife.
"In the play, the scheming courtier plots to cuckold his rival."
Standard plural, used when referring to multiple men in this position, typically in literary or historical discussion.
"Restoration comedy is full of anxious cuckolds guarding their honour."
The word 'cuckold' comes from the cuckoo bird — famous for sneaking its eggs into other birds' nests — and for centuries it was symbolised by a pair of horns worn on a husband's head.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of cuckold
Cuckold derives from the Old French 'cucu', referring to the cuckoo bird, whose habit of laying its eggs in the nests of other birds made it an emblem of deceptive infidelity from the Middle Ages onward. The word passed into Middle English, where it appears by the 13th century, and became a fixture of European comic and satirical writing. It shares its origin with 'cuckoo' itself, and with related terms in other languages such as French 'cocu'.
Related word forms
How cuckold is actually used
The noun is the dominant form in modern English. The word carries a strongly pejorative, mocking connotation and is now largely literary, historical, or used in specific subcultural contexts; it can be highly insulting if applied to someone directly. The associated imagery of 'horns' as the mark of the betrayed husband was widespread in European literature and art from medieval times onward.
Easily confused with cuckold
A cuckoo is a bird (famously known for laying eggs in other birds' nests), while a cuckold is a man whose wife is unfaithful — though the two words share an etymology.