Definition

Noun: - A proposal to enter into the state of matrimony; an offer of marriage. It is a formal declaration of one's intention to marry another person, traditionally made by one partner to the other.

Usage

This term is used to describe the specific act of proposing marriage. It is a formal and somewhat traditional phrase. - It is typically used in narrative, legal, or formal contexts. - The person making the proposal extends a marriage offer. - The person receiving it can accept or decline the marriage offer.

Examples

• After a long courtship, he finally made a marriage offer to his beloved.
• She was surprised but delighted by his sudden marriage offer.
• In the 19th century, a rejected marriage offer could cause a social scandal.

Advanced Usage

• "To have a marriage offer on the table": To have a proposal that is currently being considered.
  • She has a marriage offer on the table from a very respectable gentleman.
• Used in legal or historical discussions about contracts and social customs.
  • The law at the time considered a broken marriage offer a breach of promise.

Variants and Related Words

• Proposal (of marriage): A more common and direct synonym.
• Proposal: The general act of suggesting a plan, which in context can mean a marriage offer.
• Offer of marriage: The exact phrase from which the compound noun is derived.

Synonyms

• Proposal
• Offer of marriage
• Marriage proposal (Note: This is a compound phrase, not the target word itself.)

Antonyms

• Rejection (of a proposal)
• Refusal

Related Phrases

• To pop the question: (Idiomatic, informal) To propose marriage.
• To get down on one knee: (Descriptive phrase) The traditional posture for making a marriage offer.
• Breach of promise: (Historical/Legal) A broken agreement to marry following an accepted marriage offer.

Noun

1. an offer of marriage