Fiancé: meaning, definitions and examples

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fiancé

 

[ˌfiː.ɒnˈseɪ ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

romantic relationship

A man who is engaged to be married.

Synonyms

betrothed, future husband, intended.

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Word Description / Examples
fiancé

Commonly used in everyday conversation and formal situations to refer to the man someone is engaged to marry.

  • She introduced me to her fiancé at the party.
  • Her fiancé is planning the wedding.
betrothed

Mostly used in formal or literary contexts to describe someone who has promised to marry another.

  • He spoke of his betrothed with great affection.
  • Their families celebrated the betrothed couple's commitment.
future husband

Informally used to describe the man someone plans to marry, emphasizing the relationship's future aspect rather than the engagement status.

  • She is excited about planning a life with her future husband.
  • My future husband and I are looking for a house.
intended

Somewhat old-fashioned and formal, it is used to refer to the person someone is engaged to marry.

  • His intended is visiting the family this weekend.
  • They have known each other for years and are now intended to marry.

Examples of usage

  • Her fiancé surprised her with a romantic dinner on their anniversary.
  • The couple's families were thrilled to meet each other at the engagement party.
  • He proposed to his fiancée with a beautiful ring.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The term 'fiancé' comes from French, where it means 'engaged man'.
  • In French, 'fiancer' means 'to betroth' or 'to engage'.
  • The feminine form is 'fiancée', which means an engaged woman.

Cultural Perspectives

  • In many cultures, becoming engaged is celebrated with parties or family gatherings to mark the commitment.
  • Engagement practices vary worldwide; in some cultures, families play a significant role in the engagement process.
  • In the U.S., an engagement ring is a traditional gift, often seen as a sign of commitment.

Literature

  • In classic novels, engagements often symbolize wealth and social status, revealing its importance in society.
  • Characters in romantic literature commonly face challenges surrounding their engagements, emphasizing love over duty.
  • Engagements appear frequently in Shakespeare's works, highlighting the complexities of love and commitment.

Psychology

  • The period of engagement can significantly impact relationship dynamics, fostering deeper emotional bonds.
  • Research shows that couples who are engaged experience shifts in interpersonal communication as they plan their future.
  • Engagement often acts as a psychological commitment that can strengthen a couple's relationship.

Historical Context

  • Historically, engagement was often used to secure family alliances and land ownership rather than being solely romantic.
  • In the 18th and 19th centuries, engagements were formalized with contracts, often involving dowries.
  • By the Victorian era, engagement rings became a symbol of love and commitment, evolving from jewelry for wealth.

Translations

Translations of the word "fiancé" in other languages:

🇵🇹 noivo

🇮🇳 मंगेतर

🇩🇪 Verlobter

🇮🇩 tunangan

🇺🇦 наречений

🇵🇱 narzeczony

🇯🇵 婚約者

🇫🇷 fiancé

🇪🇸 prometido

🇹🇷 nişanlı

🇰🇷 약혼자

🇸🇦 خطيب

🇨🇿 snoubenec

🇸🇰 snúbenec

🇨🇳 未婚夫

🇸🇮 zaročenec

🇮🇸 lifandi

🇰🇿 қалыңдық

🇬🇪 დგა

🇦🇿 nişanlı

🇲🇽 prometido

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #24,269, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.