Dictionary.com
definitions

betroth

[ bih-trohth, -trawth ]
/ bɪˈtroʊð, -ˈtrɔθ /
||
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR betroth ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to arrange for the marriage of; affiance (usually used in passive constructions): The couple was betrothed with the approval of both families.
Archaic. to promise to marry.

RELATED WORDS

engage, bind, contract, vow, promise, espouse, commit, affiance

Nearby words

  1. betony,
  2. betook,
  3. betray,
  4. betrayal,
  5. betrayer,
  6. betrothal,
  7. betrothed,
  8. betsiamites,
  9. betsiboka,
  10. betsy

Origin of betroth

1275–1325; Middle English betrouthe, variant of betreuthe (be- be- + treuthe truth; see troth)
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for betroth

British Dictionary definitions for betroth

betroth

/ (bɪˈtrəʊð) /

verb

(tr) archaic to promise to marry or to give in marriage

Word Origin for betroth

C14 betreuthen, from be- + treuthe troth, truth
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for betroth

betroth

v.

c.1300, betrouthen, from bi-, here probably with a sense of "thoroughly," + Middle English treowðe "truth," from Old English treowðe "truth, a pledge" (see troth). Related: Betrothed; betrothing.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper