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 betrothal itself is a choreographed ritual of gestures.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2025
Then my four-year betrothal to a handsome, wonderful man had been called off, and I was left considering that I might have deliberately blown it up.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 17, 2024
Mr Baxter, who works as a lab technician, said he believed it was a betrothal ring.
From BBC ● Apr. 8, 2024
“Bride prices,” a tradition of betrothal gifts paid to the woman’s family, are skyrocketing.
From New York Times ● Mar. 27, 2023
"Is this what you want? An end to your betrothal?"
From "A Clash of Kings" by George R.R. Martin
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.
