WordGarden.iomarry
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /mˈæri/
US
- /ˈmɛri/
Meanings
Verb
to become someone's spouse in a legally or socially recognized union
to officially join two people in marriage by performing the ceremony
to combine things so they fit or work well together
Beyond the definition
To marry someone is to become their husband or wife through a legal or formal union. It often brings to mind vows, rings, and a day of celebration, but the word is not only about the ceremony. You can also use "marry" when two things come together especially well, like flavors, colors, or ideas. Think of how chocolate and peanut butter marry so well in a candy bar. You might also say someone married into a rich family, meaning they became part of it through marriage.
To marry means to legally and formally unite with another person as spouses, usually through a ceremony with vows and rings. It often suggests a serious promise to build a life together. For example: "After dating for five years, they decided to marry in Italy." But "marry" also has a wider meaning. It can describe bringing things together so well that they seem made for each other. You might say, "The chef married the flavors of lemon and basil," meaning the flavors blended into a pleasing whole. In this sense, the word can be used for food, design, music, ideas, or methods that work smoothly together.
Marriage customs have changed across time and culture, so the word can appear in many different stories and situations. It also shows up in expressions like "married to the job," which describes someone so devoted to work that it seems to take the place of family life. Ultimately, whether it refers to two people joining their lives or to ideas and flavors coming together perfectly, "marry" carries the sense of union, fit, and lasting connection.
Examples
- 1
Proposal
Will you marry me?
- 2
Wedding
They got married in June and moved to Chicago soon after.
- 3
Direct object
She married her best friend from school.
- Grammar
marry someone, not marry with someone
- 4
Relationship status
He is married to a nurse.
- Grammar
married to someone, not married with someone
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Motivation
They married for love, not for money.
- 6
Family membership
When she married into the family, she had to learn a lot of new traditions.
- Patternmarry into + family
become part of that family by marriage
- 7
Family pressure
The parents tried to marry their daughter off before she was ready.
- Patternmarry someone off
arrange for someone to get married, often with a negative feeling
- 8
Combining things
The restaurant marries Japanese flavors with local ingredients.
- Patternmarry A with B
combine two things successfully
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- marryverb
Forms
- marriedpast tenseverb
- marrying-ing formverb
- marriesverb