betrothal: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, literary, historical
Quick answer
What does “betrothal” mean?
A formal engagement to be married.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A formal engagement to be married; the act or state of being betrothed.
A formal promise or contract between two parties, often families, regarding a future marriage. Historically, it was a legally and socially binding agreement, distinct from the modern informal engagement.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The word is equally formal and rare in both varieties.
Connotations
Connotes tradition, formality, and often a historical or religious setting in both BrE and AmE.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in contemporary spoken language in both regions. Slightly more likely to be encountered in British historical literature or period dramas.
Grammar
How to Use “betrothal” in a Sentence
betrothal of X to Ybetrothal between X and Yenter into a betrothalVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “betrothal” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The families betrothed their children at a very young age.
- She was betrothed to a man she had never met.
American English
- The treaty betrothed the princess to a foreign prince.
- They were betrothed in a private ceremony.
adverb
British English
- This word is not used as an adverb.
American English
- This word is not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- The betrothal ring was a family heirloom.
- They exchanged betrothal gifts according to custom.
American English
- The betrothal agreement was signed by both fathers.
- A betrothal announcement appeared in the society pages.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical, anthropological, or religious studies discussing marriage customs.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation. 'Engagement' is the universal term.
Technical
May appear in legal history or theology concerning marriage law.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “betrothal”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “betrothal”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “betrothal”
- Using it interchangeably with 'wedding'.
- Using it in modern, informal contexts (e.g., 'We just announced our betrothal on Facebook!').
- Misspelling as 'betrothment'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Betrothal' is a formal, often historical or religious, contract to marry. 'Engagement' is the modern, less formal term for the period between a marriage proposal and the wedding.
It is extremely rare in everyday speech. It is primarily used in historical, literary, religious, or very formal legal contexts.
The verb is 'to betroth'. It means to formally engage someone to be married.
Historically, breaking a betrothal was a serious matter with social, legal, and sometimes financial consequences. Today, as the term is archaic, it's not applicable, but modern engagements can be broken off.
A formal engagement to be married.
Betrothal is usually formal, literary, historical in register.
Betrothal: in British English it is pronounced /bɪˈtrəʊðl/, and in American English it is pronounced /bɪˈtroʊðl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Plight one's troth (archaic idiom related to betrothal)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'BETROTHAL' as a 'BET' to be 'TRUE' to someone, sealed with an 'OATH' (all) - a formal promise of marriage.
Conceptual Metaphor
MARRIAGE IS A CONTRACT/BINDING AGREEMENT. Betrothal conceptualizes the pre-marriage stage as a formal, binding pact.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the closest modern equivalent to 'betrothal'?