marry
marry Lexical Profile
marry Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To join with another person as a legal spouse in a formal or religious ceremony of matrimony.
"They decided to marry in a quiet ceremony overlooking the coast after five years of dating."
To perform the official or religious marriage ceremony uniting two people as spouses (of a clergy member, judge, or civil official).
"The local justice of the peace agreed to marry the couple at the historic courthouse."
To combine, blend, or unite two distinct elements, ideas, or flavors into a harmonious whole.
"The architect's new design seeks to marry classical stonework with modern sustainable technology."
• interjection
An archaic exclamation used to express surprise, emphasis, or mild indignation (originally an oath invoking the Virgin Mary).
"Marry, sir, I did not expect to find you at the tavern so early in the morning!"
Word Nuance & Usage
In standard English, 'marry' is used without a preposition when referring to joining someone in matrimony (e.g., 'She married her college sweetheart,' not 'married with'). Additionally, avoid confusing its pronunciation and spelling with the homophones 'merry' (cheerful) and 'Mary' (the proper name).
• Rhymes for marry
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
The verb derives from Middle English 'marien', borrowed from Old French 'marier', which traces back to the Latin 'maritare' ('to wed, give in marriage'), from 'maritus' ('married man, husband'). The archaic interjection is a mild oath shortened from 'by the Virgin Mary'.