nuptial

[ nuhp-shuhl, -chuhl ]

adjective

1. of or relating to marriage or the marriage ceremony:

   the nuptial day;

   nuptial vows.

2. of, relating to, or characteristic of mating or the mating season of animals:

   nuptial behavior.

noun

1. Usually nuptials. a wedding or marriage.

nuptial

/ -tʃəl; ˈnʌpʃəl /

adjective

1. relating to marriage; conjugal

   nuptial vows

2. zoology of or relating to mating

   the nuptial flight of a queen bee

Pronunciation Note

The pronunciations [nuhp, -choo-, uh, l] and [nuhp, -shoo-, uh, l], by analogy with such words as mutual and actual, are not considered standard.

Derived Forms

• ˈnuptially, adverb

Other Words From

• nuptial·ly adverb
• quasi-nuptial adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of nuptial¹

First recorded in 1480–90; ( Middle French ) from Latin nuptiālis, equivalent to nupti(ae) “marriage, wedding,” derivative of nūbere “(of a woman) to marry” + -ālis adjective suffix; nubile

Word History and Origins

Origin of nuptial¹

C15: from Latin nuptiālis, from nuptiae marriage, from nubere to marry

Synonym Study

See marriage.

Example Sentences

Specifically, more couples are beginning to request digital privacy clauses in prenuptial and post-nuptial agreements.

From The Daily Beast

Not long after the Dutch nuptial-nullifying company started gaining publicity, a pilot for a reality show called—what else?

From The Daily Beast

Chris Lee on the pitch-black pre-nuptial Indie comedy premiering at Sundance.

From The Daily Beast

Should pre-nuptial agreements now specify the fate of a kidney given during the marriage?

From The Daily Beast

I often heard Europeans remark that they considered the procession of the nuptial couch extremely improper.

From Project Gutenberg

Putting on the nuptial robe of a passion in which life itself is concerned, the woman wraps herself in purity and whiteness.

From Project Gutenberg

On leaving the nuptial chamber with a pretty woman in it, a man is apt to be hungry, if he is young.

From Project Gutenberg

These are the most lugubrious nuptial felicitations that ever were offered to a bridegroom, I should fancy!

From Project Gutenberg

Better thou and I were lying, cold and limber-stiff and dead, With a pan of burning charcoal underneath our nuptial bed!

From Project Gutenberg