What is the term for a romantic couple living together without being married?

The correct term for a romantic couple living together without being married is cohabitation. Cohabitation refers specifically to the arrangement in which two individuals share a living space and have an intimate relationship without formal legal recognition of marriage.

This phenomenon is increasingly common in contemporary society and can vary in structure and significance between different cultures and individuals. Cohabitation can involve a range of commitments, from a casual relationship to one that closely resembles marriage in terms of shared responsibilities and long-term planning.

The other terms describe different types of relationships or arrangements. Dating typically refers to a more casual form of romantic relationship where individuals are exploring their compatibility, without the level of commitment or permanence associated with cohabitation. Marriage denotes a legally binding union between two individuals, which cohabitation specifically seeks to distinguish itself from. A domestic partnership is a legal or personal relationship between two individuals that can provide some, though not all, of the benefits and responsibilities of marriage; however, it does not specifically identify the living arrangement that characterizes cohabitation without the legal framework of marriage.