betrothal
Americannoun
noun
-
engagement to be married
-
a mutual promise to marry
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of betrothal
Explanation
A betrothal is an engagement, a promise to marry. If you want to sound fancy when you’re about to get married, just mention your betrothal, preferably to a duke or duchess. This 19th century word has roots meaning “faith” or “constancy,” and those meanings still hold — a betrothal is a promise to remain faithful and constant by getting married. A betrothal is basically a fancy word for an engagement. This word is slightly old-fashioned, and it also has an official, sophisticated flavor to it. After a proposal has been accepted, a couple will announce their betrothal to their friends and family. The couple is then betrothed to each other.
Vocabulary lists containing betrothal
Out of the Dust
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Beowulf
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Catherine, Called Birdy
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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.
“The Gilded Age” pulls inspiration from New York City’s 19th century elite, with Gladys Russell’s reluctant betrothal to an English duke nodding to socialite Consuelo Vanderbilt’s lavish nuptials a decade later.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 4, 2026
Research led by the British Museum has revealed that the Tudor Heart pendant may have been made to celebrate the betrothal of their two-year-old daughter Princess Mary to the eight-month-old French heir-apparent in 1518.
From BBC ● Feb. 9, 2026
The betrothal itself is a choreographed ritual of gestures.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2025
The betrothal culminates Sunday in a not-so-intimate ceremony at Allegiant Stadium, where the city will host its first-ever Super Bowl.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 7, 2024
"Is this what you want? An end to your betrothal?"
From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
