honeymoon

American  

[huhn-ee-moon] / ˈhʌn iˌmun /

noun

1. a vacation or trip taken by a newly married couple (often used attributively).

   After you've said "I do," why not escape to a dream honeymoon in Greece?

   Relax and kindle the flame of passion in one of our honeymoon suites.

2. a period of harmony at the beginning of a marriage.

   After the initial honeymoon, there may be a temptation to let routine take over.

3. any period of blissful harmony.

   Their entire 60 years of marriage was one long honeymoon.

4. any new relationship characterized by an initial period of harmony and goodwill.

   The honeymoon between Congress and the new president was over.

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verb (used without object)

1. to spend one's honeymoon (usually followed by in orat ).

   In a few months we’ll be honeymooning in New Zealand, and we can't wait!

honeymoon British  

/ ˈhʌnɪˌmuːn /

noun

1. 1. a holiday taken by a newly married couple

   2. ( as modifier )

      a honeymoon cottage

2. a holiday considered to resemble a honeymoon

   a second honeymoon

3. the early, usually calm period of a relationship, such as a political or business one

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verb

1. (intr) to take a honeymoon

Other Word Forms

• honeymooner
  noun

Etymology

Origin of honeymoon

First recorded in 1540–50; honey + moon

Explanation

A honeymoon is a trip that newlyweds traditionally take right after their wedding. You might want to wait to get married until you meet someone who wants to go to Legoland on a honeymoon as much as you do. Some honeymoons are long and luxurious, involving cruises and Europe or tropical beaches and fancy hotels, while others are simple and low-key. Many married couples don't take a honeymoon at all, or wait years until having a holiday they call a honeymoon. In the 1540s, it was a hony moone, and it referred more generally to the sweet, tender span of time after a wedding. In German, it's a flitterwochen, or "tinsel week."

Example Sentences

The "marriages" in the show are not legally binding, but viewers see the couples go on a "honeymoon", before moving in together and navigating their relationships - all while being filmed, almost every day.

From BBC • May 19, 2026

And some seats to the final that cost more than a two-week honeymoon in St. Barts.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

The newlyweds developed a business plan while on their honeymoon in the Maldives, in 2018.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026

Bilberry Woods, his hotel, claims a witch is locked inside the honeymoon suite where, decades ago, Ohm’s now-dead parents celebrated their marriage.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2026

He took Clara on a second honeymoon to the same places where they had spent the first, and on weekend escapades to a hotel, but it was all useless.

From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende