benedict
3 synonyms for benedict, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A man who has recently married, especially one who was long seen as a confirmed bachelor.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
newlywed
benedick
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."
Full origin of 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.
