betroth

[ bih-trohth, -trawth ]
See synonyms for: betrothbetrothedbetrothing on Thesaurus.com

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

  2. Archaic. to promise to marry.

Origin of betroth

1
1275–1325; Middle English betrouthe, variant of betreuthe (be-be- + treuthetruth; see troth)

Other words for betroth

Words Nearby betroth

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use betroth in a sentence

  • She flew off to betroth herself; but Mr. Crane would have none of her, and she flew back again.

    Old Peter's Russian Tales | Arthur Ransome
  • This will anger him greatly, for he wishes to betroth me to the son of the king of the Green City, whom I like not at all.'

    The Lilac Fairy Book | Andrew Lang
  • betroth your young princess to Montagu's son, the representative of all the Neviles.

    The Last Of The Barons, Complete | Edward Bulwer-Lytton

British Dictionary definitions for betroth

betroth

/ (bɪˈtrəʊð) /


verb
  1. (tr) archaic to promise to marry or to give in marriage

Origin of betroth

1
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