wedding
WEH-dihng
Wedding (noun) means a ceremony in which two people are formally married. Example: “Their wedding was held on a beach at sunset.”
noun
1
A ceremony in which two people are formally married.
"Their wedding was held on a beach at sunset."
"She wore her mother's dress at her wedding."
"We are all invited to my cousin's wedding next summer."
How to use wedding
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe event where a marriage is officially celebrated, as opposed to the ongoing state of being married.
Common mistake
A "wedding" is the ceremony/event; a "marriage" is the ongoing relationship — don't use them interchangeably.
Common pairings
wedding day
wedding ceremony
wedding reception
attend a wedding
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Word forms
- Plural
- weddings
- Third person singular
- weddings
- Past tense
- weddinged
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Their _____ was held on a beach at sunset.
Etymology
From Old English weddung ("betrothal, pledge"), built from wed plus the -ing ending.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for wedding
See all rhymes for wedding →Frequently asked questions
What does “wedding” mean?
The word “wedding” means a ceremony in which two people are formally married. In plain terms, the event where a marriage is officially celebrated, as opposed to the ongoing state of being married.
How do you pronounce “wedding”?
“Wedding” is pronounced WEH-dihng (/ˈwɛdɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “wedding” in a sentence?
Here is “wedding” used in a sentence: “Their wedding was held on a beach at sunset.”
What part of speech is “wedding”?
“Wedding” is a noun.
Where does the word “wedding” come from?
The word “wedding” comes from Old English. From Old English weddung ("betrothal, pledge"), built from wed plus the -ing ending.
Is “wedding” a common word?
“Wedding” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between a wedding and a marriage?
A wedding is the ceremony — the single event where two people are formally married, with vows, guests, and celebration. A marriage is the relationship and legal status that begins at the wedding and continues afterward, potentially for life. Put simply, the wedding is the day; the marriage is everything that follows.
What is the difference between a wedding and a reception?
The wedding is the ceremony in which the couple exchange vows and are officially married. The reception is the party that follows — the meal, speeches, drinks, and dancing held to celebrate. The ceremony makes the marriage official; the reception is the social celebration of it, often at a separate venue.
What are the main types of weddings?
Common types include civil weddings, held at a registry office or licensed venue; religious weddings, following the rites of a faith; and traditional or cultural weddings with their own customs. There are also small, informal elopements. They differ in setting and ritual but all formally unite two people.
What is a wedding anniversary?
A wedding anniversary marks the yearly return of the date a couple were married. Each year is often linked to a traditional material — paper for the first, silver for the twenty-fifth, gold for the fiftieth — which couples use as gift themes to celebrate their years together.
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