marry
MA-ree
Marry (verb) means to become someone's husband or wife in a legal or religious ceremony. Example: “They plan to marry next June.”
verb
1
To become someone's husband or wife in a legal or religious ceremony.
"They plan to marry next June."
"She married her college sweetheart."
"My sister wants to marry in the village church where our parents did."
2
To combine or join two things closely together.
"The recipe marries smoky bacon with sweet maple syrup."
"The architect hoped to marry old stone walls with modern glass in the design."
"This song marries a lively beat with thoughtful, gentle words."
How to use marry
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo become husband and wife, or figuratively, to blend two things together well.
Common pairings
marry someone
marry into a family
marry flavours together
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- marries
- Past tense
- married
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They plan to _____ next June.
Etymology
From Old French "marier," from Latin "maritare," related to "maritus" meaning husband.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for marry
See all rhymes for marry →Frequently asked questions
What does “marry” mean?
The word “marry” means to become someone's husband or wife in a legal or religious ceremony. In plain terms, to become husband and wife, or figuratively, to blend two things together well.
How do you pronounce “marry”?
“Marry” is pronounced MA-ree (/ˈmæɹi/ in IPA).
How do you use “marry” in a sentence?
Here is “marry” used in a sentence: “They plan to marry next June.”
What is another word for “marry”?
Words with a similar meaning to “marry” include bewed, conjoin, couple, espouse, handfast and hitch.
What is the opposite of “marry”?
The opposite of “marry” — its antonyms — are divorce and separate.
What part of speech is “marry”?
“Marry” is a verb.
Where does the word “marry” come from?
The word “marry” comes from Latin. From Old French "marier," from Latin "maritare," related to "maritus" meaning husband.
Is “marry” a common word?
“Marry” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between marry and wed?
Both mean to enter marriage, and they are largely interchangeable. 'Wed' is the older, more formal and literary word, common in headlines and vows, while 'marry' is the everyday term used in ordinary conversation. You might read that a couple 'wed' but say that friends are getting married.
What does it mean to marry someone?
To marry someone is to become their husband or wife through a legal or religious ceremony that formally joins two people as a couple. The act creates recognised rights and duties between partners, and is usually marked by a wedding attended by family, friends, and an official who conducts it.
Can the word 'marry' mean to perform a wedding?
Yes. 'Marry' works two ways: a couple marry each other, and the official who conducts the ceremony also marries them. So a priest, registrar, or celebrant can 'marry' a couple, meaning they perform the service that legally or religiously unites them.
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