honeymoon

[ huhn-ee-moon ]

/ ˈhʌn iˌmun /

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noun

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.

a period of harmony at the beginning of a marriage: After the initial honeymoon, there may be a temptation to let routine take over.

any period of blissful harmony: Their entire 60 years of marriage was one long honeymoon.

any new relationship characterized by an initial period of harmony and goodwill: The honeymoon between Congress and the new president was over.

verb (used without object)

to spend one's honeymoon (usually followed by in or at): In a few months we’ll be honeymooning in New Zealand, and we can't wait!

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Origin of honeymoon

First recorded in 1540–50; honey + moon

OTHER WORDS FROM honeymoon

hon·ey·moon·er, noun

Words nearby honeymoon

honey fungus, honey gilding, honey guide, honey locust, honey mesquite, honeymoon, honeymoon bridge, honey mouse, honey mushroom, honey plant, honeypot

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

How to use honeymoon in a sentence

Bezos’s likely Amazon successor is an executive made in Bezos’s imageAs Klobuchar and other Amazon critics made clear when the executive transition was announced Tuesday, Jassy won’t get any sort of honeymoon period when he assumes his new post.
Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos‘s successor will inherit his challenges|Jay Greene, Cat Zakrzewski|February 4, 2021|Washington Post
On the one hand, that could be unique to him since he was a historically unpopular presidential candidate, but on the other hand, there were signs that presidential honeymoon periods were shrinking even before him.
Is The Presidential Honeymoon Over?|Geoffrey Skelley (geoffrey.skelley@abc.com)|January 26, 2021|FiveThirtyEight
The honeymoon is far from over for Wanda and Vision, and for Marvel Studios.
‘WandaVision’ on Disney Plus gives Marvel Studios its first true power couple|David Betancourt|January 15, 2021|Washington Post
It wasn’t my whole honeymoon, but I did get to spend several days where the whole day could be dedicated to writing and that really helped.
Alexi Pappas's New Book Tackles the Heavy Stuff|Molly Mirhashem|January 11, 2021|Outside Online

They learned that the band Tame Impala would be playing a series of California shows in early March, and figured a road trip through the desert following their wedding at M3F — to see the band two days later — would make a great honeymoon.
Going to a Festival … and Gonna Get Married|Joshua Eferighe|October 16, 2020|Ozy
There is no word on where or when the Clooneys might honeymoon, but the power couple surely will have to get back to work.
After the Wedding: George Clooney and Amal Alamuddin in Venice|Barbie Latza Nadeau|September 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
There is no word where the newlyweds will spend their honeymoon.
In Run-Up to Wedding of George & Amal, Celebs and Paparazzi Stir Up the Canals of Venice|Barbie Latza Nadeau|September 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They take you up to the honeymoon, and then leave you there.
Is ‘Satisfaction’ a Love Story That’s Too Real About Sex and Marriage?|David Masciotra|September 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Kanye West and Kim Kardashian spent their honeymoon in Ballyfin house, one of Ireland's most stunning and exclusive stately homes.
Kanye and Kim's Irish Honeymoon Hideaway|Tom Sykes|May 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Cara Delevingne and Michelle Rodriguez's PDA-Filled Holiday: The honeymoon phase rages on.
Cara Delevingne and Michelle Rodriguez's PDA-Filled Holiday; Emma Watson Talks Pressures of Fashion Industry|The Fashion Beast Team|March 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The bride and bridegroom will leave us after the breakfast to pass their honeymoon at the Lakes.
A Charming Fellow, Volume II (of 3)|Frances Eleanor Trollope
Still, she came quite to like him in time; and when they were married, Pepper went with them for the honeymoon.'
The Talking Horse|F. Anstey
Judy says he was yawnin' afore they got to the station on their honeymoon.
Susan Clegg and a Man in the House|Anne Warner
I shouldn't think of ever going on a honeymoon without them.
Jane Journeys On|Ruth Comfort Mitchell
But I cannot go off on a honeymoon unless I leave her in safety.
Jane Journeys On|Ruth Comfort Mitchell

British Dictionary definitions for honeymoon

honeymoon

/ (ˈhʌnɪˌmuːn) /

noun

a holiday taken by a newly married couple
(as modifier)a honeymoon cottage

a holiday considered to resemble a honeymoona second honeymoon

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

verb

(intr) to take a honeymoon

Derived forms of honeymoon

honeymooner, noun

Word Origin for honeymoon

C16: traditionally explained as an allusion to the feelings of married couples as changing with the phases of the moon

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