betrothed

American  

[bih-trohthd, -trawtht] / bɪˈtroʊðd, -ˈtrɔθt /

adjective

1. engaged to be married.

   She is betrothed to that young lieutenant.

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noun

1. the person to whom one is engaged.

   He introduced us to his betrothed.

betrothed British  

/ bɪˈtrəʊðd /

adjective

1. engaged to be married

   he was betrothed to her

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noun

1. the person to whom one is engaged; fiancé or fiancée

Other Word Forms

• unbetrothed adjective

Etymology

Origin of betrothed

First recorded in 1530–40; betroth + -ed ²

Explanation

Betrothed means "formally engaged." If you are betrothed, then, congratulations! As they say in the song, you’re going to the chapel — you’re going to get married. Betrothed came into English through a combination of bi-, or "thoroughly," and treowðe, the Old English word for "truth, a pledge." If you are betrothed, you are completely and formally pledged to someone. Betrothed has a slightly more old fashioned and formal feel than its synonym engaged, but both describe people who are between "Will you marry me?" and "I do."

Example Sentences

Day trader Alex Henderson confuses his betrothed Ashley Carpenter with a shifting backstory involving frequent moves and overlapping dating histories, all attributed to his “nomadic lifestyle.”

From Salon • Mar. 8, 2026

You’ve surely seen these pictures: The newly betrothed couple walking back down the aisle, the bride and groom graciously taking in their champagne toasts, a few dizzying iPhone videos from a crowded dance floor.

From Slate • Apr. 13, 2024

The year after she married, Andrej was betrothed to a clerk’s daughter; he later married her and became a Lutheran priest.

From New York Times • Feb. 12, 2024

You or your betrothed may be coming into the marriage with significant assets or property, and if you ever divorce, that can get sticky.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 5, 2024

Then the merchant laughed richly, for he was fat and well-fed, and he said, “I have a second son of ten whom I have not betrothed yet. How old is the girl?”

From "The Good Earth" by Pearl S. Buck