annul

Everyday

1. (formal, law) To officially say that something such as a marriage, contract or election never counted and is cancelled. tree →
2. (church) In the Catholic Church, an annulment declares that a marriage was never valid. tree →

In the lessons

In history lessons, Henry VIII wanted the Pope to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon; when the Pope said no, England broke away from the Catholic Church. In law and news, courts annul results or agreements.

Examples

• Henry VIII asked the Pope to annul his first marriage. tree →
• The court annulled the election result. tree →
• The contract was annulled because it was unfair. tree →
• Their marriage was annulled after a few months. tree →
• The judge annulled the agreement. tree →
• Catholics believe an annulment means a marriage was never valid. tree →

Note

Formal word. Double l in «annulled» and «annulling», but one l in «annuls». It is different from divorce: divorce ends a marriage; annulment says it was never valid.