nearlywed

American  

[neer-lee-wed] / ˈnɪər liˌwɛd /

noun

1. a person who lives with another in a life partnership, sometimes engaged with no planned wedding date, sometimes with no intention of ever marrying.

   We’ve been nearlyweds for eight wonderful years, with our third child on the way.

2. a person whose wedding day is very soon to occur.

   Just two days from the big event, this is one nearlywed who isn’t feeling a smidgen of cold feet.

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Etymology

Origin of nearlywed

First recorded in 1955–60; nearly ( def. ) + wed ( def. ); modeled on newlywed ( def. )

Example Sentences

Yet it is another type of role for which she is really famous: the nearlywed.

From The Guardian • Aug. 20, 2011