prenuptial

The word "prenuptial" means "before marriage" or "connected with the time before a wedding." It is an adjective, so it usually describes a noun rather than standing alone. By far the most common phrase is "prenuptial agreement," often shortened in everyday speech to "prenup."

A prenuptial agreement is a legal contract made before marriage. It usually explains how assets, property, debts, or financial responsibilities will be handled if the couple divorces or if one spouse dies. In that context, "prenuptial" carries a legal and financial sense, but the basic meaning is still simply "before marriage."

Historically, such agreements were often linked with wealthy families or people trying to protect large estates. Today, they are discussed more broadly. A couple might consider one if they have savings, property, children from an earlier relationship, family responsibilities, business interests, or significant debt. The goal is not always mistrust; often, it is clarity and planning.

The word can also appear in broader phrases such as "prenuptial counseling" or "prenuptial arrangements," though these are less common than the legal use. In tone, the word often feels formal because it appears in legal, official, or carefully planned situations. Even so, at its heart, it refers to something that takes place before two people marry, especially when practical decisions are being made ahead of married life.