DictionaryAI

marriage

noun
MAIR-ij/ˈmɛɹ.ɪd͡ʒ/MA-rij/ˈmæɹ.ɪd͡ʒ/

Pluralmarriages

7 meanings of marriage

Practice

  1. 1
    nouncountable or uncountable
    An official or accepted relationship joining two people, or in some cultures more, as husband and wife or as partners.

    Like joining two families into one team, with shared rules and duties.

    Their marriage gave both of them legal rights to their shared home.

    In many cultures, a marriage joins two whole families, not just two people.

    UsageSay marriage to someone: her marriage to Tom.

    Similarmatrimony, wedlock, union

    Note
  2. 2
    life togethernouncountable or uncountable
    The condition of being someone's husband or wife.

    Marriage changed the way they shared money and made plans.

    After many years of marriage, they still enjoyed each other's company.

    UsageYou can use it with no article: after years of marriage.

    Similarmatrimony, wedlock

    Oppositedivorce

  3. 3
    weddingnouncountable
    A ceremony where two people officially become a married couple.

    Their marriage took place in a small chapel near the coast.

    We flew home for my cousin's marriage in June.

    UsagePeople usually say wedding for the ceremony.

    Similarwedding, nuptials

    Note
  4. 4
    nounfigurativelycountable or uncountable
    A good mix or joining of two different things.

    Like two colors blending into one new shade.

    The dish is a marriage of sweet and spicy flavors.

    Their music is a marriage of old folk songs and modern beats.

    UsageSay a marriage of two things: a marriage of sweet and spicy.

    Similarblend, combination, fusion, union, mix

    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 5
    prison couplenounslangcountable
    Among male prisoners, a romantic or sexual relationship between two inmates.

    Behind bars, the two male inmates kept up a marriage for years.

    Everyone on the cell block knew about the two men's prison marriage.

    Note
  2. 6
    noun
    In some card games, a king and queen held or played together.
  3. 7
    noun
    In solitaire, placing a card on another of the same suit, one step higher or lower.

Practice

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Origin

It came through Old French from Latin. The Latin word meant 'to marry' and came from a word for 'lover' or 'male'.

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 3 facts