elopement

noun

Sayi-LOHP-muhnt/ɪˈloʊpmənt/UK/ɪˈləʊpmənt/

4 meanings of elopement

1
to marrynouncountable or uncountable
The act of running away secretly with a romantic partner, usually in order to get married.
Her parents learned of the elopement only when she called from the courthouse with a ring on her finger.
Elopement offered the couple a way to marry before either family could object.
UsageThe verb is elope, often elope with someone or elope to a place.
2
leaving homenounrarecountable or uncountable
The act of running away from home, whatever the reason for leaving.
Similarescape, flight
3
nouncountable
A tiny wedding, planned in the open rather than in secret, with only the couple or a few guests present and often set in a scenic spot.
Instead of a 200-guest reception, the couple planned a mountaintop elopement with only a photographer and an officiant.
She runs a small business planning elopements in national parks, handling everything from permits to flowers.
Note
The secret wedding of the older, runaway meaning has kept its smallness and dropped its secrecy: what makes it an elopement now is the tiny guest list, not any running away. A small trade has grown up around it, with planners and photographers, so context decides whether "they eloped" means a hasty flight or a booked ceremony on a mountaintop.
Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 2 facts
The older wedding sense involves running away secretly to get married. en.wiktionary.org
Businesses offer planning and photography services for small elopement weddings. elopeoutdoors.com

4
noun
In medicine and care settings, the act of a patient or other person needing supervision, such as someone with dementia, autism, or a mental illness, leaving a safe area or caregiver without permission.

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Formed from the verb "elope" combined with the noun-forming suffix "-ment".

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts