A more thorough explanation:

Definition: A common-law wife is a woman who is in an informal marriage with a man and presents herself to the community as being married to him.

For example, if a couple has been living together for a long time and considers themselves to be married, even though they never had a formal wedding or obtained a marriage license, the woman may be referred to as the man's common-law wife.

It is important to note that common-law marriage laws vary by state and country, and not all jurisdictions recognize common-law marriages.

Overall, a common-law wife is a woman who is in a long-term relationship with a man and is considered to be his partner, even though they may not have gone through the formal process of getting married.