secret engagement
Private marriage promise
A secret engagement is a private agreement to marry that the couple keeps hidden from others—typically from family, the public, or specific individuals who might disapprove.
The secrecy often stems from social obstacles: class differences, family opposition, or timing concerns.
They maintained a secret engagement for two years until she finished medical school.
The phrase also applies to clandestine military operations or covert meetings, though the romantic sense predominates.
- clandestineConcealed from authorities
- hiddenKept out of sight
- betrothalFormal marriage agreement
- ringClosed curve shape
- whisperedSpoke without full voice
hushed tones · forbidden · forbidden love · star-crossed lovers · promise · elopement · rendezvous · stolen moments · hush-hush · covert · under wraps · behind closed doors · tryst · vow · concealed · romantic · stolen · midnight
- Engagementsfiance, fiancee, betrothed, bride-to-be, intended
- wedding tropesarranged marriage, elopement, runaway bride, shotgun wedding, marriage of convenience
- forbidden loveforbidden love, forbidden romance, illicit love, forbidden fruit, star-crossed
- Secret Marriageselopement, private vows, Gretna Green, forbidden marriage
- Literary Weddingswedding, bride, groom, betrothal, marriage vows
secret, secrets, secrecy, secretive, secretively, secretiveness, secretary, secretarial, secretariat