matrimony
Legally joined together
Matrimony is the state of being married, or the institution of marriage itself.
The word carries a formal, often religious tone, appearing frequently in ceremonial contexts: holy matrimony.
While marriage is the everyday term, matrimony emphasizes the sacred or legal bond between spouses.
They were joined in matrimony at the cathedral.
Marriage rite and feast
- nuptialsVows and rings
- altarSacred ritual table
- brideWoman getting married
- groomBetrothed man; stable worker
vows · aisle · officiant · reception · chapel · bouquet · veil · ringbearer
Loyalty or exactness
- devotionDeep, loyal commitment
- loyaltyFaithful commitment to another
- faithfulnessDevoted loyalty maintained
- bondBinding tie or connection
promise · dedication · monogamy · trust · constancy · steadfastness · pledge · vows
Marital property transfer
- matchmakingArranging romantic connections
- arranged marriageFamily-selected spousal pairing
- betrothalFormal marriage agreement
- proposalFormal plan for consideration
engagement · bridal shower · henna · mehndi · ketubah · handfasting · jumping the broom · unity candle
Married partner
- husbandMarried man's role
- wifeFemale marriage partner
- partnerOne who shares activity
- coupleTwo linked together
newlyweds · consort · soulmate · betrothed · fiancé · fiancée · bridegroom · companionship
State of being spouses
- annulmentDeclared void from start
- divorceLegal end of matrimony
- alimonyCourt-ordered post-divorce payments
- prenuptialBefore the wedding
marriage certificate · civil union · domestic partnership · custody · settlement · dissolution · bigamy · legitimacy
Sacred ritual conveying grace
- blessingPrayer seeking divine favor
- covenantBinding formal pledge
- consecrationDedicating to sacred purpose
- sanctityQuality of being inviolable
clergy · vocation · spiritual union · religious ceremony · church wedding · canonical · nuptial mass · banns
wedding
Marriage rite and feast
groom · vows · aisle · officiant · reception · chapel · bouquet · veil · ringbearer · processional
fidelity
Loyalty or exactness
- devotionDeep, loyal commitment
- loyaltyFaithful commitment to another
- faithfulnessDevoted loyalty maintained
bond · promise · dedication · monogamy · trust · constancy · steadfastness · pledge · vows · lifelong
dowry
Marital property transfer
- matchmakingArranging romantic connections
- arranged marriageFamily-selected spousal pairing
- betrothalFormal marriage agreement
proposal · engagement · bridal shower · henna · mehndi · ketubah · handfasting · jumping the broom · unity candle · breaking the glass
spouse
Married partner
couple · newlyweds · consort · soulmate · betrothed · fiancé · fiancée · bridegroom · companionship · togetherness
wedlock
State of being spouses
- annulmentDeclared void from start
- divorceLegal end of matrimony
- alimonyCourt-ordered post-divorce payments
prenuptial · marriage certificate · civil union · domestic partnership · custody · settlement · dissolution · bigamy · legitimacy · inheritance
sacrament
Sacred ritual conveying grace
- blessingPrayer seeking divine favor
- covenantBinding formal pledge
- consecrationDedicating to sacred purpose
sanctity · clergy · vocation · spiritual union · religious ceremony · church wedding · canonical · nuptial mass · banns · officiant
- couplescouple, married couple, married couples, pair, twosome
- weddingwedding, wedding ring, marry, wedding ceremony, wedding rings
- weddingswedding, wedding dress, wedding cake, wedding ceremony, bride
- Catholic ChurchVatican, papacy, cardinals, popes, papal
- CatholicismVatican, cardinals, pope, Holy Communion, popes
- Family & Marriageweddings, family life, home life, domestic life, household
matrimonysinglehood
Unmarried state
bachelorhood · spinsterhood · single life · celibacy · unmarried
matrimonydivorce
Legal end of matrimony
separation · dissolution · annulment · breakup · estrangement
matrimonycelibacy
Abstaining from intimate relations
monastic life · bachelordom · monasticism · abstinence · solitude
- holy matrimonySacred rite of spousal union