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)

honeymoons, present (3rd person singular) honeymooned, past participle, past honeymooning present participle

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

Derived Forms

• honeymooner
  noun

Conjugated Forms

Present

• has honeymooned
  perfect 3rd person singular
• have honeymooned
  perfect
• am honeymooning
  progressive 1st person singular
• has been honeymooning
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• are honeymooning
  progressive
• is honeymooning
  progressive 3rd person singular
• have been honeymooning
  perfect progressive
• honeymoons
  singular 3rd person
• honeymooning
  participle

Past

• had honeymooned
  perfect
• had been honeymooning
  perfect progressive
• was honeymooning
  progressive singular
• were honeymooning
  progressive plural
• honeymooned
  simple
• honeymooned
  participle

Future

• will honeymoon
  simple
• will have honeymooned
  perfect
• will be honeymooning
  progressive
• will have been honeymooning
  perfect progressive

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

Ads for the digital publication sold quickly, mostly to travel companies, while stories included a feature on a honeymoon destination with fly fishing and sporting clays.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026

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

From BBC • May 18, 2026

James Le, a Charlotte, N.C.-based photographer, made a promise to himself and his wife Caley that he would not work on their honeymoon.

From MarketWatch • May 13, 2026

She remembers when she returned from her honeymoon in Soroa with a white orchid in her hair, one that Jorge had clipped from the terraced gardens high above the sulfur baths.

From "Dreaming in Cuban" by Cristina García