marriage

[ˈmærɪdʒ]

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

Synonyms for marriage

• wedlock
• matrimony
• union
• nuptials

Antonyms for marriage

• divorce
• separation

Idioms Using marriage

• marry money

  to marry someone for their wealth or financial status

  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.

• marry in haste, repent at leisure

  if you marry someone too quickly, you may regret it later

  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

• shotgun marriage

  a marriage that is forced or hurried because of pregnancy

  Example

  They had a shotgun marriage after she got pregnant.

• arranged marriage

  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.

• open marriage

  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'

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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.