WordGarden.io
Back to search

marry

A2
verb

Pronunciation

UK

  • /mˈæri/

US

  • /ˈmɛri/

Description

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.

Examples

  1. 1

    Proposal

    Will you marry me?

  2. 2

    Wedding

    They got married in June and moved to Chicago soon after.

  3. 3

    Direct object

    She married her best friend from school.

    • Grammar

      marry someone, not marry with someone

  4. 4

    Relationship status

    He is married to a nurse.

    • Grammar

      married to someone, not married with someone

  5. 5

    Motivation

    They married for love, not for money.

  6. 6

    Family membership

    When she married into the family, she had to learn a lot of new traditions.

    • Pattern

      marry into + family

      become part of that family by marriage

  7. 7

    Family pressure

    The parents tried to marry their daughter off before she was ready.

    • Pattern

      marry someone off

      arrange for someone to get married, often with a negative feeling

  8. 8

    Combining things

    The restaurant marries Japanese flavors with local ingredients.

    • Pattern

      marry A with B

      combine two things successfully

Forms and spellings

4 forms open this card.

Main spelling

  • marryverb

Forms

  • marriedpast tenseverb
  • marrying-ing formverb
  • marriesverb