Definition and pronunciation
prenup /ˈpriːˌnʌp/ — noun (informal): a prenuptial agreement; a contract two people sign before marriage that sets rules for property, debts, support, and what happens if they separate or divorce.
Full form: prenuptial (agreement) /ˌpriːˈnʌpʃəl (əˈɡriːmənt)/.
Easy explanation
A prenup is a written plan for money and property made before the wedding. It helps a couple agree in advance on “who owns what” and “who owes what,” so there are fewer fights if things go wrong.
Grammatical formation
- Part of speech: countable noun (a prenup; two prenups).
- Typical verbs: draft, negotiate, sign, execute, revise, enforce, challenge, invalidate.
- Typical subjects: fiancés/fiancées, spouses-to-be, attorneys, courts.
- Register: legal in function; “prenup” is the everyday shorthand for “prenuptial agreement.”
Meanings and nuances
- The contract itself that predetermines financial rights and responsibilities before marriage.
- By extension, the set of terms inside that contract (“under the prenup…”).
- Enforceability usually depends on fairness, full financial disclosure, and no coercion (details vary by jurisdiction).
With prepositions and variants
- sign/execute a prenup; enter into a prenup with someone
- rights under a prenup; terms in a prenup; challenge a prenup for lack of disclosure/duress
- about/concerning: “a prenup about business ownership and debt”
- Variants: prenuptial agreement (formal), antenuptial agreement (older legal term)
Common collocations
prenuptial agreement, airtight prenup, enforceable prenup, challenge a prenup, invalidate a prenup, prenup clause, full financial disclosure, independent counsel, separate property, community property, equitable distribution, spousal support, alimony waiver, inheritance protection, debt allocation, business ownership, infidelity clause, choice-of-law clause, mediation clause, sunset clause
Idioms and neighboring expressions
marriage contract, premarital agreement, antenuptial agreement, postnup, postnuptial agreement, separation agreement, marital settlement agreement, cohabitation agreement, property regime
Word comparisons
- prenup vs postnup: prenup is before marriage; postnup is after marriage.
- prenup vs separation agreement: separation agreements govern living apart or divorce; a prenup plans ahead while still unmarried.
- prenup vs marital settlement agreement: an MSA typically finalizes a divorce; a prenup anticipates possible outcomes.
- prenup vs will/estate plan: a will controls assets after death; a prenup governs rights during marriage and at breakup/death, often coordinating with estate planning.
Real-life examples
- “A founder insisted on a prenup to protect startup equity.”
- “They added a sunset clause so the prenup expires after ten years.”
- “Her inheritance stays separate under the prenup.”
- “The judge enforced the prenup because disclosure was complete.”
Sample sentences
- “We’re meeting a lawyer next week to draft a prenup.”
- “They signed a prenup that keeps business interests separate.”
- “He tried to challenge the prenup for duress.”
- “Their prenup includes a mediation clause.”
- “Without full disclosure, a prenup can be struck down.”
- “She wanted a prenup to protect family property.”
- “The prenup waives alimony but preserves retirement benefits.”
- “They revised the prenup after moving states.”
- “An unfair prenup may be deemed unconscionable.”
- “Counsel advised independent lawyers for each side before signing.”
Synonyms
prenuptial agreement, premarital agreement, antenuptial agreement, marriage contract, premarital contract
Antonyms
postnuptial agreement, postnup, separation agreement, marital settlement agreement
Related terms
fiancé, fiancée, spouse, marriage, matrimonial property, separate property, community property, equitable distribution, disclosure, consideration, duress, unconscionability, alimony, spousal support, inheritance, estate planning, choice of law, mediation, arbitration, sunset clause, infidelity clause
Connection to sexuality
“Prenup” is not a sexual term. It’s a legal/financial tool. Some prenups include behavior clauses (for example, related to infidelity), but the word itself carries no sexual meaning.
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