mary i: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral to Formal. Common in everyday, legal, and ceremonial contexts.
Quick answer
What does “mary i” mean?
to become legally united to another person as husband or wife.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
to become legally united to another person as husband or wife; to join two people in marriage.
To combine or unite two elements in a harmonious or inseparable way. Can also mean to take as a spouse in a non-legalistic sense, such as in commitment ceremonies. Figuratively used to describe the close blending of ideas, styles, or substances.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor. 'To get married to someone' is slightly more common in British English than 'to marry someone', which is preferred in formal/ceremonial contexts in both varieties. No significant spelling or pronunciation differences for the verb itself.
Connotations
Largely identical. The religious/secular connotation depends more on context than variety.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “mary i” in a Sentence
[Sb] marries [Sb] (transitive)[Sb] marries (intransitive)[Sb] is/get married to [Sb][Sb] marries into [family/wealth]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mary i” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They plan to marry next spring in a small ceremony.
- He married into a very wealthy family.
American English
- She married her high school sweetheart right after college.
- The judge will marry them in a civil ceremony.
adverb
British English
- N/A (No standard adverbial form for 'marry')
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- The married couple received many gifts.
- She is happily married with two children.
American English
- He's been married for over twenty years.
- All married employees are eligible for the family plan.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in metaphorical use (e.g., 'marrying two technologies') or HR contexts regarding marital status.
Academic
Used in sociological, historical, and legal studies. Figurative use in arts/humanities (e.g., 'marrying form and function').
Everyday
Very common in social contexts, discussing relationships, family, and wedding plans.
Technical
Specific legal terminology for the act of solemnizing a marriage. Also used in data matching contexts (e.g., 'marrying datasets').
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mary i”
- Incorrect: 'She married with him.' Correct: 'She married him.' OR 'She got married to him.'
- Incorrect: 'They are married since 2020.' Correct: 'They got married in 2020.' OR 'They have been married since 2020.'
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Marry' is the direct verb ('He married her'). 'Get married' is a phrasal verb more common in informal speech and focuses on the event or change of state ('They got married last year'). 'Get married' is often followed by 'to'.
Yes. Unlike some languages, English uses the same verb 'to marry' for both parties in the marriage. Gender is indicated by the subject/object pronouns (He married she / She married him).
No. This confuses the point-in-time event with the duration of a state. Correct versions are: 'We got married 5 years ago.' or 'We have been married for 5 years.'
Figuratively, 'to marry' means to combine or blend two different elements harmoniously and inseparably. Examples: 'This dish marries sweet and sour flavours perfectly.' 'The project marries innovative design with practical functionality.'
to become legally united to another person as husband or wife.
Mary i is usually neutral to formal. common in everyday, legal, and ceremonial contexts. in register.
Mary i: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmæri/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɛri/ or /ˈmæri/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Marry into money”
- “Marry in haste, repent at leisure”
- “Marry off (to arrange a marriage for someone, often disparaging)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a MERRY couple getting MARRIED. The words 'merry' and 'marry' sound alike but have different meanings.
Conceptual Metaphor
MARRIAGE IS A UNION/BOND. MARRIAGE IS A JOURNEY (e.g., 'embark on married life'). Ideas can be 'married' (combined) just as people are.
Practice
Quiz
Which preposition is correct in this passive sentence: 'She was married ___ a famous actor.'?