marriage Definition
the legally or formally recognized union of two people as partners in a personal relationship (historically and in some jurisdictions specifically a union between a man and a woman).
Using marriage: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "marriage" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last month.
Example
She entered into a marriage of convenience with him to get a green card.
Example
Same-sex marriage was legalized in this country in 2015.
Example
Their marriage ended in a bitter divorce.
marriage Synonyms and Antonyms
Antonyms for marriage
Idioms Using marriage
Example
She didn't love him, but she married him for his money.
marry up
to marry someone who is of a higher social class or has a higher income than oneself
Example
She married up when she wed the CEO of a major corporation.
Example
He proposed after only a few weeks of dating, but she remembered the saying 'marry in haste, repent at leisure' and declined.
Phrases with marriage
Example
They had a shotgun marriage after she got pregnant.
a marriage planned and agreed upon by the families or guardians of the bride and groom, often without the couple's input or consent
Example
In some cultures, arranged marriages are still common.
a marriage in which both partners agree to have sexual relationships with other people outside of the marriage
Example
They decided to try an open marriage to spice things up.
Origins of marriage
from Old French 'marier', meaning 'to marry'
Summary: marriage in Brief
The term 'marriage' [ˈmærɪdʒ] refers to the legally recognized union of two people in a personal relationship. It can be between a man and a woman or same-sex partners, and may be entered into for various reasons, such as love, convenience, or financial gain. Phrases like 'shotgun marriage' and 'open marriage' denote specific types of unions, while idioms like 'marry money' and 'marry up' describe marrying for financial or social status. The phrase 'marry in haste, repent at leisure' cautions against rushing into marriage.
