remarry: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1neutral
Quick answer
What does “remarry” mean?
to marry again, after a divorce or the death of a spouse.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
to marry again, after a divorce or the death of a spouse.
To enter into a marriage a second or subsequent time; also used metaphorically to mean to reunite or recombine things.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling conventions (e.g., 'marry' vs. 'wed') may slightly influence surrounding phrasing.
Connotations
Equally neutral in both varieties. The legal and social context may differ, but the term itself carries the same weight.
Frequency
Equally common in both BrE and AmE, used in legal, formal, and everyday contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “remarry” in a Sentence
[Subject] remarries.[Subject] remarries [Object].[Subject] remarries [to Object].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “remarry” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- After her husband passed away, she chose not to remarry.
- He plans to remarry his childhood sweetheart next summer.
American English
- She got divorced and remarried within two years.
- The law states you must wait six months to remarry.
adverb
British English
- N/A - 'remarry' is not typically used as an adverb.
American English
- N/A - 'remarry' is not typically used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- The remarried couple moved to Cornwall.
- His remarried status was noted in the census.
American English
- She is now a remarried mother of three.
- The tax implications for remarried individuals are complex.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; might appear in HR contexts regarding spousal benefits for second marriages.
Academic
Used in sociological, demographic, or historical studies on marriage patterns.
Everyday
Common in personal conversations about life events and family news.
Technical
Used in legal documents and family law proceedings.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “remarry”
- Using 'remarry' for a first marriage. Confusing 'remarry' with 'renew vows' (which is within the same marriage).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily yes, for entering a second marriage. It can be used metaphorically (e.g., 'remarry the two separated departments'), but this is rare and poetic.
They are synonymous, but 'remarry' is more concise and slightly more formal/common in written English.
Technically, an annulment declares a marriage null, as if it never legally existed. Therefore, a subsequent marriage would be a first legal marriage, not a 'remarriage'. However, in casual speech, people might still use it.
The direct noun is 'remarriage'. The person is simply 'someone who remarried' or 'a remarried person'.
to marry again, after a divorce or the death of a spouse.
Remarry is usually neutral in register.
Remarry: in British English it is pronounced /ˌriːˈmæri/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌriˈmɛri/ or /ˌriˈmæri/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To have a second chance at happiness (implied context).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
RE (again) + MARRY = to MARRY AGAIN.
Conceptual Metaphor
A SECOND CHAPTER, A FRESH START, RE-PAIRING.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences uses 'remarry' correctly?