English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
adj

betrothed

bih-TROHTHD

Betrothed (adj) means Formally promised in marriage; engaged. Example: “She was betrothed to a man she had never met.”

adj
1
Formally promised in marriage; engaged.
"She was betrothed to a man she had never met."
"The two families had betrothed their children as infants."
noun
1
The person one is engaged to marry; a fiancé or fiancée.
"He introduced his betrothed to the rest of the wedding party."

How to use betrothed

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA formal, slightly old-fashioned word for someone's fiancé/fiancée, or for being engaged.

Common pairings
his betrothed betrothed since childhood

Word forms

more betrothed comparative, betrotheds plural, most betrothed superlative

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “betrothed” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She was _____ to a man she had never met.

Etymology

Past participle of betroth, from Middle English, built from be- + trouthe ("truth, pledge") — literally "to pledge one's truth to."

Origin: Middle English

Rhymes for betrothed

See all rhymes for betrothed →

Frequently asked questions

What does “betrothed” mean?

The word “betrothed” means formally promised in marriage; engaged. In plain terms, a formal, slightly old-fashioned word for someone's fiancé/fiancée, or for being engaged.

How do you pronounce “betrothed”?

“Betrothed” is pronounced bih-TROHTHD (/bɪˈtɹəʊðd/ in IPA).

How do you use “betrothed” in a sentence?

Here is “betrothed” used in a sentence: “She was betrothed to a man she had never met.”

What part of speech is “betrothed”?

Depending on how it is used, “betrothed” can be an adjective and a noun.

Where does the word “betrothed” come from?

The word “betrothed” comes from Middle English. Past participle of betroth, from Middle English, built from be- + trouthe ("truth, pledge") — literally "to pledge one's truth to.".

How many meanings does “betrothed” have?

“Betrothed” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: formally promised in marriage; engaged.

Featured in

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial