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Glite Dictionary
decree nisi

decree nisi

9.9
A temporary court order for divorce that becomes final if no one objects
  • noun
  • /dɪˈkriː ˈnaɪsaɪ/
  • UK
translation icon : decreto nisi
  • After the decree nisi was granted, she began planning her future without her former husband.

Examples

  • He was relieved when the court approved the decree nisi, signaling that his divorce proceedings were moving forward.

  • I got the decree nisi today.

    Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale (2025)

  • Decree nisi.

    Star! (1968)

  • The judge issued a decree nisi that would become final in six months if no objections were raised.

Surface Forms

decree nisi singular
decree nisi plural

Morphology

decree + nisi

The compound directly combines 'decree' (a formal order) with 'nisi' (not yet final/provisional), so its core meaning — a provisional court order — is transparently derivable from the constituents. While the detailed procedural consequence (becoming absolute after a period without objection) is legal technicality beyond basic composition, that does not prevent a learner who knows both words from understanding the MWE's main sense.

Etymology

Decree nisi comes from Latin and literally means a decree with nisi meaning 'unless'. It is a temporary court order that becomes final only if no one objects, so the name reminds us the decision is 'not final' at first.