Definition

1. 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

1. the ceremony or sacrament of marriage
2. the state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce)
   • a long and happy marriage
   • God bless this union