betrothal
Formal engagement vow
Betrothal is a formal agreement to marry—an engagement, but with older and more ceremonial overtones.
The word appears in historical and literary contexts where marriages were arranged or announced with ritual significance: The betrothal was celebrated with a feast.
Someone betrothed to another is formally pledged to marry them.
Binding promise given
- vowSolemn personal commitment
- plightDifficult, dangerous situation
- oathFormal binding promise
- covenantBinding formal pledge
word · affiance · compact · agreement · consent · declaration · assurance · bond
Pledged to marry
- fiancéMan pledged to marry
- fiancéeEngaged woman
- proposalFormal plan for consideration
- ringClosed curve shape
affianced · promised · intended · suitor · courtship · asking · announcement · party
Ceremonial binding of couples
- blessingPrayer seeking divine favor
- announcementPublic declaration of information
- feastElaborate ceremonial meal
- celebrationFestive event marking occasion
witnesses · formal · traditional · exchange · reading · officiant · rite · ritual
Put into order
- allianceFormal union of parties
- familiesRelated people living together
- dowryMarital property transfer
- bride-pricePayment for marriage rights
matchmaker · negotiations · contracts · lineage · dynasty · honour
pledge
Binding promise given
covenant · word · affiance · compact · agreement · consent · declaration · assurance · bond · contract
engaged
Pledged to marry
ring · affianced · promised · intended · suitor · courtship · asking · announcement · party · plighted
handfasting
Ceremonial binding of couples
- blessingPrayer seeking divine favor
- announcementPublic declaration of information
- feastElaborate ceremonial meal
celebration · witnesses · formal · traditional · exchange · reading · officiant · rite · ritual · custom
arranged
Put into order
bride-price · matchmaker · negotiations · contracts · lineage · dynasty · honour
- Medieval Ritesknighting, dubbing, homage, fealty, investiture
- pledgesvow, promise, I promise, wedding vows, I vow
- tribal marriagebride price, bridewealth, marriage ceremony, tribal ceremonies, wedding rituals
- Jewish marriageJewish wedding, ketubah, chuppah, erusin, wedding canopy
- weddingwedding, wedding ring, marry, wedding ceremony, wedding rings
- weddingswedding, wedding dress, wedding cake, wedding ceremony, bride
betrothaldivorce
Legal end of matrimony
disengagement · separation · break-up · annulment · dissolution
betrothalsinglehood
Unmarried state
bachelorhood · spinsterhood · freedom · availability · unattached
- betrothal giftsItems exchanged upon engagement