matrimony
/'mætriməni/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- The state or condition of being married; marriage: Refers to the institution or relationship of being husband and wife.
- The ceremony or sacrament of marriage: Specifically refers to the formal act or religious rite of getting married.
Usage
- The word "matrimony" is a formal noun, often used in legal, religious, or ceremonial contexts. It emphasizes the sacred, legal, or lifelong union of marriage rather than the day-to-day relationship. It is less common in everyday conversation than the word "marriage."
Examples
- Noun:
- They entered into the holy state of matrimony last spring.
- The priest spoke about the sanctity of matrimony during the ceremony.
- After fifty years of matrimony, they celebrated their golden anniversary.
Advanced Usage
- "Bonds of matrimony": A formal phrase referring to the commitments and ties of marriage.
- They sought to strengthen the bonds of matrimony through counseling.
- "Joined in matrimony": A formal way to say two people were married.
- The couple was joined in matrimony in a beautiful seaside ceremony.
Variants and Related Words
- Matrimonial (adj): Relating to marriage or married people.
- They sought matrimonial advice.
- Note: "Matrimony" is the root; related terms like "pre-matrimonial" (before marriage) are derived from it.
Synonyms
- Marriage: The most common and direct synonym.
- Wedlock: A formal or legal term for the state of being married.
- Union: Can refer to the act or state of being joined in marriage, especially in a formal context.
Antonyms
- Divorce: The legal dissolution of a marriage.
- Singleness: The state of being unmarried.
- Celibacy: The state of abstaining from marriage and sexual relations.
Idioms and Phrases
- "Tie the knot": An informal idiom meaning to get married. While not containing the word "matrimony," it refers to the same event.
- They finally decided to tie the knot after a long engagement.
- "Take the plunge (into matrimony)": To decide to get married.
- After dating for years, they took the plunge into matrimony.
Noun
- the ceremony or sacrament of marriage
- the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)
- a long and happy marriage
- God bless this union