MARRIAGE VOCABULARY

Wedlock: The state of being married.

Sentence: They were blessed with three children during their happy years of wedlock.

Spouse: A husband or wife.

Sentence: Each spouse must be willing to compromise for the marriage to succeed.

Matrimony: The ceremony or state of being married; marriage itself.

Sentence: They entered into holy matrimony in a beautiful church ceremony.

Engagement: A formal agreement to get married.

Sentence: Their engagement was announced at a family gathering last weekend.

Dowry: Money, goods, or property a bride brings to her husband when they marry (traditional in some cultures).

Sentence: In some societies, dowry plays a significant role in marriage arrangements.

Civil Marriage: A legal marriage without a religious ceremony.

Sentence: They opted for a civil marriage to avoid the complications of a religious wedding.

Consort: The husband or wife of a monarch (formal term).

Sentence: Queen Victoria’s consort, Prince Albert, was deeply involved in many cultural projects.

Divorce: The legal ending of a marriage.

Sentence: The rise in divorce rates has led to more discussions about marital counseling.

Marital Bliss: Great happiness in marriage.

Sentence: The newlyweds were enjoying their period of marital bliss on their honeymoon.

Arranged Marriage: A marriage planned and agreed by families or guardians rather than by the couple themselves.

Sentence: In many cultures, arranged marriage is still a common practice.

Love Marriage: A marriage chosen by the individuals based on love rather than family arrangement.

Sentence: They chose a love marriage despite their families’ initial objections.

Wedding Vows: Promises made to each other during the wedding ceremony.

Sentence: Their wedding vows were heartfelt and moved everyone to tears.

Separation: When a married couple decides to live apart without officially divorcing.

Sentence: After years of arguments, they decided on a temporary separation.

Prenuptial Agreement: A legal agreement made before marriage concerning the ownership of assets if the marriage fails.

Sentence: They signed a prenuptial agreement to protect their personal property.

Bigamy: The act of marrying someone while already being married to another person. (Illegal in many places)

Sentence: Bigamy is considered a serious crime in most countries.