Definition and pronunciation
matrimony /ˈmætrɪˌmoʊni/ (noun): a formal term for marriage, especially in religious or ceremonial contexts.
Related adjective: matrimonial /ˌmætrɪˈmoʊniəl/ (e.g., matrimonial law/property).
Easy explanation
Matrimony means being legally married. It is a more formal or religious word than “marriage,” often heard in wedding ceremonies (“joined in holy matrimony”).
Grammatical formation
- Part of speech: noun (usually uncountable).
- Typical frames: enter into matrimony; in holy matrimony; bonds of matrimony; state of matrimony.
- Adjective: matrimonial (matrimonial home/property/causes).
- Register: formal, ceremonial, or legal; everyday conversation prefers marriage.
Meanings and nuances
- Marriage as an institution or state — neutral/formal (“They entered into matrimony in June”).
- Religious sense — in many Christian traditions, Matrimony is a sacrament, emphasizing a sacred union.
- Legal/technical collocations — appears in fixed phrases in law and property (matrimonial assets).
With prepositions and variants
- in (holy) matrimony — formula used in ceremonies: “joined in holy matrimony.”
- enter into matrimony (with [person]) — formal way to say “get married.”
- bonds of matrimony — set phrase for the marital bond.
- matrimonial [law/property/causes] — legal usage tied to marriage, divorce, and assets.
- Notes: “with” after enter into matrimony is formal but idiomatic; “to” appears in some ceremonial phrasing (“joined in matrimony to…”), though “with” is more common.
Common collocations
holy matrimony, enter into matrimony, joined in matrimony, bonds of matrimony, state of matrimony, sacrament of matrimony, civil matrimony, interfaith matrimony, late matrimony, matrimony site (South Asian usage), matrimonial law, matrimonial property, matrimonial home, matrimonial causes, matrimonial proceedings
Idioms and neighboring expressions
tie the knot, walk down the aisle, wedlock, wedded bliss, make it official, jump the broom, exchange vows, nuptials, the happy couple
Word comparisons
- matrimony vs marriage: matrimony is formal/ceremonial; marriage is the standard everyday term.
- matrimony vs wedlock: wedlock is literary/old-fashioned for the state of being married.
- matrimony vs nuptials: nuptials refers to the wedding/ceremony, not the ongoing state.
- matrimonial vs marital: near-synonyms as adjectives; marital is more common in general use.
Real-life examples
- “The couple were joined in holy matrimony at St. Mary’s.”
- “Matrimonial property is divided according to state law.”
- “Their interfaith matrimony blended customs from both families.”
Sample sentences
- “They decided to enter into matrimony after five years together.”
- “The priest declared them joined in holy matrimony.”
- “She specializes in matrimonial law.”
- “The bonds of matrimony can be both legal and spiritual.”
- “They’ve been in the state of matrimony for two decades.”
- “The registry records civil matrimony for residents.”
- “Matrimonial property includes the marital home and savings.”
- “Interfaith matrimony is increasingly common in cities.”
- “The ceremony celebrated matrimony and community.”
- “He researches matrimonial causes in comparative law.”
Synonyms
marriage, wedlock, union, wedded state, holy matrimony, nuptials (ceremonial)
Antonyms
divorce, annulment, separation, dissolution, breakup
Related terms
spouse, partner, husband, wife, wedding, ceremony, vows, officiant, civil union, prenuptial agreement, marital, matrimonial law, matrimonial property, cohabitation, conjugal rights
Connection to sexuality
The word matrimony is not a sexual term. It refers to marriage. In some legal or religious systems, sexual topics may intersect with matrimony (e.g., consummation, conjugal rights), but those are secondary legal or doctrinal issues—not part of the word’s meaning.
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