married
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for married, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Having a husband or wife; joined in marriage.
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.
How to use married
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
The past participle of the verb "marry."
Full origin of married →Frequently asked questions
What does “married” mean?
The word “married” means having a husband or wife; joined in marriage. In plain terms, having a spouse, or figuratively, extremely devoted to something.
How do you pronounce “married”?
“Married” is pronounced MAR-ihd (/ˈmæɹ.ɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “married” in a sentence?
Here is “married” used in a sentence: “They got married last spring in a small ceremony.”
What part of speech is “married”?
“Married” is an adjective.
Is “married” a common word?
“Married” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “married” have?
“Married” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: having a husband or wife; joined in marriage.
What is the difference between 'married' and 'engaged'?
Being engaged means a couple has promised to marry and are formally committed, but the wedding has not yet happened. Being married means the ceremony is complete and they are legally joined as spouses. Engagement is the promise; marriage is the fulfilled union with full legal and social recognition.
What is the difference between 'married' and 'single'?
'Married' means you have a legally recognised spouse, a husband or wife. 'Single' means you have no such partner and are unmarried. These are the two most common answers on official forms asking about marital status, alongside options like divorced, separated, or widowed.
Can you be married but separated?
Yes. A separated couple are still legally married but no longer living together as partners. Separation is often a step before divorce, though some couples reconcile. Until a divorce is finalised, both people remain married in the eyes of the law and cannot marry anyone else.
Is 'married' a formal word?
'Married' is neutral and works in every setting, from casual conversation to legal documents. More formal alternatives include 'wedded' or 'joined in matrimony', while 'hitched' is a relaxed, informal way to say the same thing. For most writing and speech, 'married' is the natural, standard choice.