Marriage can mean the relationship between two married people, the ceremonyA formal public event marking an important occasion or change. of getting married, or a close unionA joining together of two or more parts into one. between two things. The most common everydayUsed or happening in ordinary life, not special or rare. use is the relationship itself.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-14. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˈmærɪdʒ/
Easy pronunciation: MAR-ij (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress the first syllable.
This is the noun meaning being married to someone; the relationship between spouses.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-14. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Marriage Meaning
being married to someone
Part of speech: noun
Definition: the state of being married to someone; the relationship between husband and wife or spouses
Example: Their marriage lasted more than 40 years.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- matrimony — Formal word for the married state or relationship.
- wedlock — Traditional word for the state of being married.
- spousal relationship — Describes the relationship between spouses, though it sounds technical.
- union — Can work for the married relationship, but it is broader and less specific.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-14. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Marriage
Meaning 2
the wedding ceremony
Part of speech: noun
Definition: the act or ceremony of getting married
Example: Their marriage took place in a small chapel.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- marriage ceremony — Direct synonym for the ceremony itself.
- wedding — Common everyday word for the marriage ceremony.
Meaning 3
a close combination or blend
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a close and intimate union between two things or ideas
Example: The design is a marriage of style and function.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-14. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Marriage Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- matrimony
- wedlock
- spousal relationship
- union
the act or ceremony of getting married
- wedding
- marriage ceremony
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-14. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- People sometimes use marriage to mean the wedding itself, but the word more often means the married relationship.
- Do not use marriage for any close combination of things unless the context clearly shows a figurative meaning.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-14. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does marriage mean?
Marriage usually means the state or relationship of being married to someone. It can also mean the wedding ceremony, or, in a figurative way, a close union of two things.
What is a synonym for marriage?
For the married relationship, good synonyms include matrimony and wedlock. For the ceremony, wedding is the closest synonym.
Is marriage the same as wedding?
Not exactly. A wedding is the ceremony, while marriage is usually the relationship that comes after it.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-14. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
