Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Relating to a bride: Pertaining specifically to a woman who is getting married or has just been married.
   • Relating to a wedding: Pertaining to the ceremony or celebration of a marriage.

2. Noun:

   • (Archaic) A wedding or wedding feast: An old-fashioned term for the marriage ceremony or the celebratory meal that follows it.

Examples

• Adjective:

  • She looked beautiful in her bridal gown. (This describes the gown belonging to or worn by a bride.)
  • The hotel offers special packages for the bridal suite. (This describes the suite intended for a newly married couple.)
  • The bridal party gathered for photographs. (This describes the group associated with the bride at a wedding.)

• Noun (Archaic):

  • The entire village was invited to the bridal. (This uses the word to mean the wedding celebration.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is primarily used as an adjective in modern English. The noun form is considered archaic and is rarely used in contemporary language.
• "Bridal" vs. "Bride": "Bridal" is the adjective form. The person is the "bride"; things pertaining to her are "bridal" (e.g., bridal bouquet, bridal shower).

Variants and Related Words

• Bridally (adverb): In a manner relating to a bride or wedding. (Rarely used)
• Bride (noun): A woman on her wedding day or just before and after the event.
• Bridalwear (noun): Clothing worn by a bride, such as dresses and veils. (This is a compound word listed separately as per instruction.)

Synonyms

• Adjective (wedding-related): Nuptial, matrimonial, marital, spousal.
• Noun (archaic): Nuptials, wedding, marriage ceremony.

Antonyms

• Adjective: There is no direct antonym, but concepts like "funeral" or "divorce-related" are contextually opposite.

Related Phrases

• Bridal party: The group of people (bridesmaids, maid of honor, etc.) attending the bride.
• Bridal registry: A service offered by a store where a couple lists desired wedding gifts.
• Bridal shower: A party held for a bride-to-be before her wedding.

Adjective

1. of or pertaining to a bride
   • bridal gown
2. of or relating to a wedding
   • bridal procession
   • nuptial day
   • spousal rites
   • wedding cake
   • marriage vows

Noun

1. archaic terms for a wedding or wedding feast