married
MAR-ihd
Married (adj) means having a husband or wife; joined in marriage. Example: “My brother is married and lives near the sea.”
adj
1
Having a husband or wife; joined in marriage.
"My brother is married and lives near the sea."
"They got married last spring in a small ceremony."
"She has been happily married for over a decade."
2
Deeply committed to something, as if bound to it.
"The coach is married to the game and thinks about nothing else."
"She is so married to her morning routine that she hates any change."
"He's married to his work and rarely takes a day off."
How to use married
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHaving a spouse, or figuratively, extremely devoted to something.
Common pairings
happily married
newly married
married to the job
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Word forms
- Plural
- marrieds
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Etymology
The past participle of the verb "marry."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for married
See all rhymes for 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.
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