marry

[ˈmæɹɪ]

[ˈmeɹi]

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To marry someone means to formally join your life with theirs in a public ceremony, usually surrounded by friends and family.

When two people decide to be together forever, one of the first things that happens is that they start using the word "marry" a lot! It's like a big decision has been made and everyone around them knows it. They might say, "We're getting married next summer!" or "Do you want to marry me?" People often use the phrase "will you marry me?" when asking for someone's hand in marriage - it's usually a romantic moment!

How common is "marry"?

Word marry is considered common in modern English.
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.

Definitions

verb

To enter into the conjugal or connubial state; to take a husband or a wife.
Example: Neither of her daughters showed any desire to marry.
(in passive) To be joined to (someone) as spouse according to law or custom.
Example: His daughter was married some five years ago to a tailor's apprentice.
To arrange for the marriage of; to give away as wife or husband.
Example: He was eager to marry his daughter to a nobleman.
To take as husband or wife.
Example: In some cultures, it is acceptable for an uncle to marry his niece.
To unite; to join together into a close union.
Example: The attempt to marry medieval plainsong with speed metal produced interesting results.
To unite in wedlock or matrimony; to perform the ceremony of joining spouses; to bring about a marital union according to the laws or customs of a place.
Example: A justice of the peace will marry Jones and Smith.
To place (two ropes) alongside each other so that they may be grasped and hauled on at the same time.
To join (two ropes) end to end so that both will pass through a block.