Marry: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿ’
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marry

 

[หˆmรฆri ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

social

To legally or formally bind two people in marriage; to join in matrimony.

Synonyms

take vows, tie the knot, wed.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
marry

General term for entering into a marriage; formal and common.

  • They decided to marry in a small ceremony
  • When are they going to marry?
wed

More formal and less commonly used in everyday speech; often seen in written form and announcements.

  • They are planning to wed next summer
  • The couple wed in an elegant ceremony
tie the knot

Informal and colloquial; often used in casual conversation.

  • They finally decided to tie the knot after being together for five years
  • When are you two going to tie the knot?
take vows

Often used in the context of the wedding ceremony, focusing on the commitment aspect.

  • The couple is ready to take their vows this weekend
  • They took their vows in front of family and friends

Examples of usage

  • They decided to marry in a small ceremony.
  • Sarah and John are getting married next month.
  • I want to marry someone who shares my values and beliefs.
Context #2 | Verb

figurative

To combine or unite in a close, loving relationship.

Synonyms

blend, harmonize, merge.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
marry

Used typically to describe the union between two people through a wedding ceremony. It can also be metaphorically used to describe the combination of two concepts or entities.

  • They decided to marry in the summer.
  • The author marries humor and drama seamlessly in their book.
blend

Appropriate for describing the combination of different elements into a smooth and unified mixture. Often used in the context of cooking, art, or colors.

  • Blend the soup until it's completely smooth.
  • Her dress blends shades of blue and green.
merge

Suitable for describing the combination of two or more entities into a single one, often used in business, technology, or traffic. The term can carry a neutral or technical tone.

  • The two largest companies decided to merge.
  • The rivers merge into a single stream.
harmonize

Used when referring to creating a pleasing and balanced combination, particularly in music. It can also describe achieving unity or agreement among different elements.

  • The choir members harmonize beautifully.
  • Their ideas harmonize well with each other, making it a successful project.

Examples of usage

  • The flavors of the ingredients marry together perfectly in this dish.
  • Her passion for music and his love for painting marry beautifully in their collaborative projects.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word 'marry' comes from the Latin 'maritare', which means to join or to wed.
  • In Old French, the word was 'marier', which also means to marry or to take a spouse.
  • Historically, marriages were often arranged for political alliances, not just love.

Cultural Practices

  • Different cultures have unique wedding traditions, such as the Indian 'saat phere', which involves seven circles around a sacred fire.
  • In many Western cultures, the concept of a white wedding dress symbolizes purity, first popularized by Queen Victoria in the 19th century.
  • Some Indigenous communities have ceremonies that celebrate not just the couple but also their families and community.

Legal Aspects

  • In many countries, marrying involves legal contracts that outline rights and responsibilities between partners.
  • The age of consent for marriage varies widely across cultures and countries, reflecting different societal views on adulthood.
  • Same-sex marriage has become legal in numerous countries over the last two decades, reflecting changing attitudes towards love and equality.

Ritual and Symbolism

  • Exchanging rings during a marriage ceremony symbolizes eternal love and commitment.
  • The idea of 'tying the knot' comes from ancient traditions where a couple would literally tie a knot as a symbol of their union.
  • Some cultures incorporate specific rituals, such as jumping over a broom, to signify the start of a married life.

Psychology

  • Studies show that couples who marry often report higher levels of happiness compared to those who remain single.
  • Marrying can influence health positively, with married individuals tending to have lower stress and better mental health.
  • The 'honeymoon phase' refers to the initial period after marriage, characterized by intense intimacy and joy.

Translations

Translations of the word "marry" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น casar

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคถเคพเคฆเฅ€ เค•เคฐเคจเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช heiraten

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ menikah

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะพะดั€ัƒะถะธั‚ะธัั

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ poล›lubiฤ‡

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ็ตๅฉšใ™ใ‚‹ (ใ‘ใฃใ“ใ‚“ใ™ใ‚‹)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท se marier

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ casarse

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท evlenmek

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๊ฒฐํ˜ผํ•˜๋‹ค (gyeolhonhada)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุชุฒูˆุฌ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ oลพenit se

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ oลพeniลฅ sa

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ็ป“ๅฉš (jiรฉhลซn)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ poroฤiti se

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ giftast

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ าฏะนะปะตะฝัƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ“แƒแƒฅแƒแƒ แƒฌแƒ˜แƒœแƒ”แƒ‘แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ evlษ™nmษ™k

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ casarse

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,931, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.