married

American  

[mar-eed] / ˈmær id /

adjective

1. united in wedlock; wedded.

   married couples.

2. of or relating to marriage or married persons; connubial; conjugal.

   married happiness.

3. (of an antique) created from components of two or more authentic pieces.

4. interconnected or joined; united.

5. (of a family name) acquired through marriage.

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noun

1. Usually marrieds. married couples or married people.

   young marrieds moving into their first home.

married British  

/ ˈmærɪd /

adjective

1. having a husband or wife

2. joined in marriage

   a married couple

3. of or involving marriage or married persons

4. closely or intimately united

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noun

1. (usually plural) a married person (esp in the phrase young marrieds )

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• marriedly
  adverb
• well-married
  adjective
• unmarried
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of married

Middle English word dating back to 1325–75; see origin at marry ¹, -ed ²

Explanation

Married people are legally committed to each other — they're joined in marriage, or wedded. Even though you may feel emotionally committed to your mate, you need to legally tie the know to be considered married. A married couple has made an official, legal agreement to be partners. If your many brothers and sisters are all married, it means you have a lot of sisters- and brothers-in-law (the spouses of your siblings). You can also use married to describe things that have something to do with marriage: "Those two are the picture of married bliss." The Latin root of married is maritare, "to wed or to marry."

Example Sentences

Like Daphne, Patchett is married to an older man — also a doctor — whom she adores.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 2, 2026

We moved in about 10 years ago and were married here.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 2, 2026

“Whistler” is narrated by protagonist Daphne Fuller, a 54-year-old English teacher married to Jonathan, a restlessly retired doctor and hospital administrator who dotes on his wife and whom he regards as “extraordinary.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 2, 2026

Both she and Danson had been married before the start of their romance and each had two children from their previous relationships.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 1, 2026

After I married, Dr. Kane would not let me refer to my old life—he wanted me to forget it.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock