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prenuptial agreement: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Low to Medium (Specialised)
UK/ˌpriːˈnʌp.ʃəl əˈɡriː.mənt/US/ˌpriːˈnʌp.ʃəl əˈɡriː.mənt/

Formal, Legal, Technical

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Quick answer

What does “prenuptial agreement” mean?

A legal contract made between two people before marriage, which determines the division of their assets and financial responsibilities in the event of divorce or death.

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Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

A legal contract made between two people before marriage, which determines the division of their assets and financial responsibilities in the event of divorce or death.

More broadly, it refers to any formal arrangement or understanding established prior to the commencement of a significant partnership or endeavor, often used metaphorically in business or politics.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant difference in meaning. In the UK, the term "ante-nuptial agreement" is a slightly more formal alternative, though "prenuptial agreement" is standard. In the US, "prenup" is a very common short form.

Connotations

Identical connotations of financial planning, legal protection, and sometimes a lack of romantic optimism about the marriage's permanence.

Frequency

More frequently discussed and utilised in the United States, though usage in the UK has increased in recent decades.

Grammar

How to Use “prenuptial agreement” in a Sentence

SIGN a prenuptial agreement with someoneDRAW UP a prenuptial agreement for someoneBE BOUND BY a prenuptial agreementENTER INTO a prenuptial agreement

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
sign a prenuptial agreementdraw up a prenuptial agreementhave a prenuptial agreementenforce a prenuptial agreementvalid prenuptial agreementcomprehensive prenuptial agreement
medium
negotiate a prenuptial agreementdiscuss a prenuptial agreementlegal prenuptial agreementprenuptial agreement clauseprenuptial agreement lawyer
weak
financial prenuptial agreementprotect assets with a prenuptial agreementprenuptial agreement templateprenuptial agreement controversy

Examples

Examples of “prenuptial agreement” in a Sentence

verb

British English

  • The couple are being advised to **prenup** before the wedding. (informal, emerging usage)
  • They decided against **prenupping**. (informal, emerging usage)

American English

  • We should definitely **prenup**—my startup shares are at stake. (informal, emerging usage)
  • Many celebrities **prenup** as a matter of course. (informal, emerging usage)

adjective

British English

  • The **prenuptial** negotiations were surprisingly amicable.
  • They sought **prenuptial** legal advice.

American English

  • He hired a top **prenuptial** attorney.
  • The **prenuptial** discussions were a wake-up call.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Used when discussing the protection of business assets owned by a founder or partner entering a marriage.

Academic

Discussed in law, sociology, and economics papers on marriage, family law, and wealth distribution.

Everyday

A topic of conversation when people with significant assets or children from prior relationships plan to marry.

Technical

A precise legal instrument in family law, detailing clauses on property division, spousal support, and inheritance waivers.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “prenuptial agreement”

Strong

prenup (colloquial)marriage contract

Neutral

premarital agreementante-nuptial agreement

Weak

financial agreementmarital contract

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “prenuptial agreement”

postnuptial agreementoral agreement (in this context)

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “prenuptial agreement”

  • Misspelling: 'pre-nuptual agreement'. Correct: 'prenuptial'.
  • Incorrect plural: 'prenuptials agreement'. The plural is 'prenuptial agreements'.
  • Using it as a verb: 'They decided to prenuptial.' Incorrect. Use 'sign a prenuptial agreement.'

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

No, while common among the wealthy, it can be useful for anyone with assets, debts, children from a previous relationship, or future inheritance expectations.

Yes, it can be challenged on grounds such as coercion, fraud, lack of proper legal representation, or if it is deemed grossly unfair.

Not necessarily. Many view it as a practical, unemotional form of financial planning, similar to insurance, that can actually reduce conflict later.

A prenuptial agreement is signed before marriage, while a postnuptial agreement is signed after the marriage has taken place.

A legal contract made between two people before marriage, which determines the division of their assets and financial responsibilities in the event of divorce or death.

Prenuptial agreement is usually formal, legal, technical in register.

Prenuptial agreement: in British English it is pronounced /ˌpriːˈnʌp.ʃəl əˈɡriː.mənt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌpriːˈnʌp.ʃəl əˈɡriː.mənt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

  • “They went into the marriage with a prenup in their back pocket.”
  • “It was a love match with a spreadsheet attached—the classic prenup.”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think: PRE (before) NUPTIAL (related to marriage) AGREEMENT (contract). A contract you agree to before the nuptials/wedding.

Conceptual Metaphor

MARRIAGE IS A BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP (The prenup is the partnership agreement). LIFE IS A JOURNEY (The prenup is a map for an unexpected detour).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
To protect the family business, the heirs advised their father to a comprehensive prenuptial agreement before his second marriage.
Multiple Choice

What is the primary purpose of a prenuptial agreement?

prenuptial agreement: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples | Lingvocore