benedict
Benedict (noun) means a man who has recently married, especially one who was long seen as a confirmed bachelor. Example: “Friends teased the new benedict about trading his freedom for a mortgage.”
How to Use Benedict
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a newly married former bachelor, or the eggs-and-hollandaise brunch dish.
The bachelor-turned-groom sense is dated and rarely used in everyday speech; most people today only meet this word on a brunch menu.
Word Forms
more benedict comparative, benedicted past tense, benedicts plural, Benedicts plural, benedicts singular, most benedict superlative
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
Friends teased the new _____ about trading his freedom for a mortgage.
Etymology
The bachelor sense comes from Benedick, a witty confirmed bachelor in Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, who ends up marrying anyway. The name itself traces to Latin Benedictus, "blessed."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for benedict
See all rhymes for benedict →Frequently Asked Questions
What does “benedict” mean?
The word “benedict” means a man who has recently married, especially one who was long seen as a confirmed bachelor. In plain terms, either a newly married former bachelor, or the eggs-and-hollandaise brunch dish.
How do you pronounce “benedict”?
“Benedict” is pronounced BEH-nuh-dihkt (/ˈbɛnədɪkt/ in IPA).
How do you use “benedict” in a sentence?
Here is “benedict” used in a sentence: “Friends teased the new benedict about trading his freedom for a mortgage.”
What part of speech is “benedict”?
“Benedict” is a noun.
Where does the word “benedict” come from?
The word “benedict” comes from Latin. The bachelor sense comes from Benedick, a witty confirmed bachelor in Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, who ends up marrying anyway. The name itself traces to Latin Benedictus, "blessed.".
Is “benedict” a common word?
“Benedict” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “benedict” have?
“Benedict” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a man who has recently married, especially one who was long seen as a confirmed bachelor.
What is the difference between "benedict" and "bachelor"?
A "bachelor" is simply an unmarried man, while a "benedict" specifically refers to a man who has recently married, especially one previously seen as a confirmed, long-term bachelor. The term highlights the transition from bachelorhood to marriage rather than marital status alone.
What is "eggs Benedict"?
Eggs Benedict is a breakfast dish made of poached eggs, ham or bacon, and hollandaise sauce served on an English muffin. "Benedict" is sometimes used alone as a short form of "eggs Benedict" on menus.
Is "benedict" a commonly used word today?
The sense meaning a recently married man is quite rare and old-fashioned in modern English, largely surviving in literary or historical contexts. The food-related meaning, as a short form of "eggs Benedict," remains in everyday, common use.