betrothed
betrothed
Pronunciation
Here's the IPA phonetic spelling for "betrothed" with a breakdown of the sounds in each syllable:
bɪˈtrəʊðd (This is the most common pronunciation in both American and British English)
Syllable breakdown:
bi (b - voiced bilabial stop, ɪ - near-close near-back unrounded vowel)
ˈtroʊ (t - voiceless alveolar plosive, ɹ - alveolar approximant, əʊ - close back rounded diphthong)
ðd (ð - voiced dental fricative, d - voiced alveolar plosive)
Word Form Variations
"Betrothed" itself functions as both the singular and plural form. It refers to a single person you're engaged to or both people in a couple who are engaged.
Here are some related word forms:
Verb: Betroth (to formally promise to marry someone)
Noun: Betrothal (the act of becoming engaged or the formal promise to marry)
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Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms
Betrothed
Part of Speech:
Adjective
Definition: Officially engaged to be married; having formally promised to marry someone.
Synonyms: Engaged, promised, pledged, affianced (more formal)
Antonyms: Unengaged, unbetrothed (less common), single
Example: The betrothed couple received a shower of congratulations.
Part of Speech:
Noun
Definition 1: A person to whom one is officially engaged to be married; fiancé(e).
Synonyms: Fiancé(e), intended
Definition 2: (Less common) A couple who are officially engaged to be married.
Synonyms: Engaged couple (more common)
Example (Definition 1): Her betrothed surprised her with a romantic weekend getaway.
Example (Definition 2): The betrothed were the centre of attention at the engagement party.
Examples of Use
Books:
Jane Austen's classic novel "Pride and Prejudice" features Elizabeth Bennet's struggle between two suitors, eventually becoming betrothed to Mr. Darcy (Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice).
Newspapers:
A historical newspaper article might describe a royal wedding announcement, mentioning the betrothed prince and princess (e.g., imagine a 19th-century article about Queen Victoria's betrothal).
Online Publications:
A celebrity gossip website might report on a betrothed couple's engagement party details (e.g., headlines like "Betrothed Stars Celebrate Lavish Engagement Party").
Entertainment Mediums:
In the Disney movie "The Princess Bride," Princess Buttercup is initially betrothed to Prince Humperdinck before falling in love with Westley (The Princess Bride, dir. Rob Reiner, 1987).
General Public Discourse:
During a toast at an engagement party, a parent might express their joy for the betrothed couple embarking on their new journey together.
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10 Famous Quotes Using the term Betrothed
While "betrothed" is a well-understood word, it's not as common in modern speech or writing as synonyms like "engaged." However, here are some interesting alternatives that capture the essence of being engaged:
"Love is not finding someone to live with; it's finding someone you can't live without." - Rafael Ortiz (This quote captures the commitment and deep connection often present in an engagement)
"A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person." - Mignon McLaughlin (This quote reflects the ongoing commitment and love that a betrothal signifies)
"To get the full value of joy you must have someone to share it with." - Mark Twain (This quote highlights the shared future and joy a betrothal represents)
"We are all a little weird and life's a little weird. And when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall in mutual weirdness and call it love." - Dr. Seuss (This quote emphasises finding your perfect match, a key aspect of engagement)
"Grow old with me! The best is yet to be." - Robert Browning (This quote emphasises the promise of a future together, often solidified by an engagement)
"You don't marry someone you can live with - you marry the person who you can't live without." - Rachel Vincent (Similar to quote #1, this emphasises the deep connection)
"An unsuccessful marriage is often a case of mistaken identity." - Christian Friedrich Hebbel (While not directly about betrothal, this quote highlights the importance of choosing the right partner, a decision often made before an engagement)
"Marrying for love has no more to do with logic than buying a horse for its pedigree." - P. J. O'Rourke (This lighthearted quote emphasises the emotional connection rather than practical considerations, often present in an engagement)
"The course of true love never did run smooth." - William Shakespeare (This quote from "A Midsummer Night's Dream" acknowledges the challenges couples may face, even those who are betrothed)
"There is no remedy for love but to love more." - Henry David Thoreau (This quote emphasises the depth of love that often leads to engagement)
Etymology
The word "betrothed" is like a promise baked into a fancy cake! Here's the breakdown:
Old English: Back in the day (think knights and dragons), Old English had a word "treowðe" which meant "truth" or "pledge."
French Influence: Around the 1300s, English borrowed the idea from French, where "be-" meant "thoroughly" and "troth" (related to the Old English word) meant "pledge." They put these two parts together to make "betroth," which meant to promise to marry someone (especially a woman).
Modern Meaning: Over time, "betrothed" evolved to describe someone you're officially engaged to be married to. It emphasises the seriousness of the promise.
So, "betrothed" comes from the idea of a strong and true pledge, making it a perfect word for the commitment of engagement.
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Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Betrothed
While there aren't many common idioms directly using "betrothed," here are some interesting phrases and workarounds to express similar ideas:
Phrases:
To be betrothed: This is the most straightforward way to say someone is officially engaged to be married.
Promise of marriage: This emphasises the formal aspect of the commitment.
Hand in betrothal: This is a more historical term, referring to the giving of a woman's hand in marriage by her father or guardian.
Idiom alternatives:
Plighting one's troth: This is an old-fashioned idiom that means to make a formal promise, often of marriage.
Engaged to be married: This is the most common and modern way to say someone is planning to get married.
Tying the knot: This is a more informal idiom that refers to getting married.
Head over heels (in love): This idiom describes being deeply in love, a feeling that often leads to engagement.
While not using "betrothed" directly, these phrases and idioms capture the essence of being officially committed to marrying someone.
Posts Related to Betrothed
Source Information
Definition of betrothed from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
