marry
1 Americanverb (used with object)
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to take in marriage.
After being together for five years, I finally asked her to marry me.
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to perform the marriage ceremonies for (two people); join in wedlock.
The minister married Susan and Ed.
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to give in marriage; arrange the marriage of (often followed byoff ): They want to marry off all their children before selling their big home.
Her father wants to marry her to his friend's son.
They want to marry off all their children before selling their big home.
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to unite intimately.
Common economic interests marry the two countries.
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to take as an intimate life partner by a formal exchange of promises in the manner of a traditional marriage ceremony.
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to combine, connect, or join so as to make more efficient, attractive, or profitable: A recent merger marries two of the nation's largest corporations.
The latest cameras marry automatic and manual features.
A recent merger marries two of the nation's largest corporations.
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Nautical.
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to lay together (the unlaid strands of two ropes) to be spliced.
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to seize (two ropes) together end to end for use as a single line.
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to seize (parallel ropes) together at intervals.
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to cause (food, liquor, etc.) to blend with other ingredients.
to marry malt whiskey with grain whiskey.
verb (used without object)
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to wed.
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(of two or more foods, wines, etc.) to combine suitably or agreeably; blend.
This wine and the strong cheese just don't marry.
interjection
verb
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to take (someone as one's partner) in marriage
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(tr) to join or give in marriage
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(tr) to acquire (something) by marriage
marry money
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to unite closely or intimately
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to fit together or align (two things); join
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(tr) nautical
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to match up (the strands) of unlaid ropes before splicing
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to seize (two ropes) together at intervals along their lengths
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interjection
Pronunciation
See Mary.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
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have marriedperfect
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has marriedperfect 3rd person singular
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marryingparticiple
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marriessingular 3rd person
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are marryingprogressive
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have been marryingperfect progressive
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has been marryingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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am marryingprogressive 1st person singular
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is marryingprogressive 3rd person singular
Past
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had marriedperfect
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were marryingprogressive plural
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was marryingprogressive singular
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had been marryingperfect progressive
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marriedsimple
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marriedparticiple
Future
Etymology
Origin of marry1
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English marien, from Old French marier, from Latin marītāre “to wed,” derivative of marītus “conjugal,” akin to mās “male (person)”
Origin of marry2
First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English Mari(e), marie, mare , euphemistic variant of Mary (the Virgin)
Explanation
To marry someone is to make an official, ceremonial commitment to be partners. You can marry someone in a church, barefoot on a beach, or in a courthouse. Some people marry their long-time sweethearts, while others abruptly choose to marry after knowing each other briefly. The officiant who leads the wedding ceremony, whether they're a judge or an ordained minister who's also an Elvis impersonator, is the person who marries the happy couple. The Latin root is maritare, "to wed or marry," and also "to give in marriage."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Kroenke went on to make a fortune in real estate and marry Ann Walton, a Walmart heiress, before diving into sports.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2026
With a certain visa, people must swear to their intent to marry within 90 days of arrival on foreign shores.
From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2026
Costume designer Mirren Gordon-Crozier wanted to marry Margo’s two worlds with well-considered pieces and subtle hints that bridge them.
From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2026
My boyfriend’s parents say he shouldn’t marry me until he earns $50K a year.
From MarketWatch • May 18, 2026
“You didn’t tell him that when he was asking you to marry him.”
From "The Light in Hidden Places" by Sharon Cameron
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
