- 1[countable] the legal relationship between a husband and wife a happy/unhappy marriage All of her children's marriages ended in divorce. an arranged marriage (= one in which the parents choose a husband or wife for their child) She has two children by a previous marriage. This is his second marriage. see mixed
- 2[uncountable] the state of being married They don't believe in marriage. My parents are celebrating 30 years of marriage.
- 3[countable] the ceremony in which two people become husband and wife Their marriage took place in a local church. Wedding is more common in this meaning. marry verbmarriage nounmarried adjective (≠unmarried)Idioms
when someone is related to you by marriage, they are married to someone in your family, or you are married to someone in their family Jane and I are related by marriage.
permission to marry someone, especially a woman He asked the general for his daughter's hand in marriage.
- fall/be (madly/deeply/hopelessly)in love (with somebody)
- be/believe in/fall in love at first sight
- be/find true love/the love of your life
- suffer (from) (the pains/pangs of) unrequited love
- have/feel/show/express great/deep/genuine affection for somebody/something
- meet/marry your husband/wife/partner/fiancé/fiancée/boyfriend/girlfriend
- have/go on a (blind)date
- be going out with/dating a guy/girl/boy/man/woman
- move in with/live with your boyfriend/girlfriend
- get/be engaged/married/divorced
- arrange/plan a wedding
- have a big wedding/a honeymoon/a happy marriage
- have/enter into an arranged marriage
- call off/cancel/postpone your wedding
- invite somebody to/go to/attend a wedding/a wedding ceremony/a wedding reception
- conduct/perform a wedding ceremony
- exchange rings/wedding vows/marriage vows
- congratulate/toast/raise a glass to the happy couple
- be/go on your honeymoon (with your wife/husband)
- celebrate your first (wedding) anniversary
- be unfaithful to/ (informal) cheat on your husband/wife/partner/fiancé/fiancée/boyfriend/girlfriend
- have an affair (with somebody)
- break off/end an engagement/a relationship
- break up with/ (informal) dump your boyfriend/girlfriend
- separate from/be separated from/leave/divorce your husband/wife
- annul/dissolve a marriage
- file for/ask for/go through/get a divorce
- get/gain/be awarded/have/lose custody of the children
- pay alimony/child support (to your ex-wife/husband)
Check pronunciation: marriage