married: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Neutral to formal; widely used in all registers.
Quick answer
What does “married” mean?
The state of being formally united to another person as a spouse in a legal or religious ceremony.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The state of being formally united to another person as a spouse in a legal or religious ceremony.
1. The condition of being a husband or wife. 2. (figurative) Closely or intimately united, combined, or associated (e.g., 'married to one's work').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, 'married to' is standard. In American English, 'married with' is sometimes used colloquially (though considered non-standard by purists) to indicate having children (e.g., 'married with two kids').
Connotations
Similar core connotations. 'Married into money/family' is common in both.
Frequency
Equally high frequency. The noun 'marriage' is slightly more frequent in formal/legal contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “married” in a Sentence
[subject] marry [object][subject] get married (to [object])[subject] be married (to [object])Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “married” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They plan to marry at the local registry office next spring.
- He married into a well-known publishing family.
American English
- They're going to marry in a barn wedding in Vermont.
- She married young and had three children.
adverb
British English
- (Rare as a standalone adverb) They lived happily married for decades.
American English
- (Rare as a standalone adverb) They walked out of the chapel, newly married.
adjective
British English
- Are you married or single?
- They are a happily married couple living in Bristol.
American English
- Her married name is different from her maiden name.
- He's been married for over twenty-five years.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in HR/benefits contexts (e.g., 'marital status').
Academic
Used in sociology, law, demography (e.g., 'married households', 'marriage rates').
Everyday
Very high frequency in personal and social contexts.
Technical
Legal definitions vary by jurisdiction; precise status is key for contracts, taxes, immigration.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “married”
- Incorrect preposition: 'She is married with him.' (Correct: 'married to him')
- Confusing 'marry' and 'get married': 'They married last year' (formal) vs. 'They got married last year' (more common).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Marry' is often more formal and focuses on the action ("They will marry in June"). 'Get married' is more common in everyday speech and emphasizes the change of state ("They're getting married in June!").
Yes, but it's less common for a one-time event. 'He marries her' sounds literary or ceremonial. For future plans, 'is marrying' or 'is going to marry' is more natural than the simple present.
In strict grammar, 'married to' is correct for the spouse. However, 'married with children' is a very common, accepted colloquial phrase, especially in American English, meaning 'married and having children'.
The most direct opposite is 'single'. More specific antonyms depend on the previous state: 'divorced', 'widowed', or 'unmarried'.
The state of being formally united to another person as a spouse in a legal or religious ceremony.
Married is usually neutral to formal; widely used in all registers. in register.
Married: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmær.id/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmer.id/ /ˈmær.id/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Married to the job”
- “Marry in haste, repent at leisure”
- “Marry money”
- “Marry into the family”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a MARE (horse) and a RIDER: once they are 'married', they are united and work as one.
Conceptual Metaphor
MARRIAGE IS A BOND/UNION (ties that bind), MARRIAGE IS A JOURNEY (wedded bliss, rocky marriage).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'married' correctly?