honeymoon

American  

[huhn-ee-moon] / ˈhʌn iˌmun /

noun

1. a vacation or trip taken by a newly married couple (often used attributively).

   After you've said "I do," why not escape to a dream honeymoon in Greece?

   Relax and kindle the flame of passion in one of our honeymoon suites.

2. a period of harmony at the beginning of a marriage.

   After the initial honeymoon, there may be a temptation to let routine take over.

3. any period of blissful harmony.

   Their entire 60 years of marriage was one long honeymoon.

4. any new relationship characterized by an initial period of harmony and goodwill.

   The honeymoon between Congress and the new president was over.

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verb (used without object)

1. to spend one's honeymoon (usually followed by in orat ).

   In a few months we’ll be honeymooning in New Zealand, and we can't wait!

honeymoon British  

/ ˈhʌnɪˌmuːn /

noun

1. 1. a holiday taken by a newly married couple

   2. ( as modifier )

      a honeymoon cottage

2. a holiday considered to resemble a honeymoon

   a second honeymoon

3. the early, usually calm period of a relationship, such as a political or business one

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verb

1. (intr) to take a honeymoon

Other Word Forms

• honeymooner
  noun

Etymology

Origin of honeymoon

First recorded in 1540–50; honey + moon

Explanation

A honeymoon is a trip that newlyweds traditionally take right after their wedding. You might want to wait to get married until you meet someone who wants to go to Legoland on a honeymoon as much as you do. Some honeymoons are long and luxurious, involving cruises and Europe or tropical beaches and fancy hotels, while others are simple and low-key. Many married couples don't take a honeymoon at all, or wait years until having a holiday they call a honeymoon. In the 1540s, it was a hony moone, and it referred more generally to the sweet, tender span of time after a wedding. In German, it's a flitterwochen, or "tinsel week."

Example Sentences

One example is Boss Energy, which draws power for its Honeymoon uranium project directly from the grid.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

That’s after rain restricted access to its Honeymoon mine in South Australia, temporarily halting supplies of reagents and other goods needed for production.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026

Her 2017 Dangerous Woman Tour had a total of 77 shows which spanned across the world, while her 2015 Honeymoon Tour had 88 shows.

From BBC • Nov. 19, 2025

Everywhere felt warm with bonhomie as the locals wished us an Ausgezeichnete Hochzeitsreise, or Excellent Honeymoon.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 8, 2025

These are the mom-and-pop theaters, willing to proceed with the two o'clock showing of The Honeymoon Killers even if I'm the only one in the house.

From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris