betrothal

[ bih-troh-thuhl, -traw-thuhl ]

noun

1. the act or state of being betrothed; betrothed; engagement.

betrothal

/ bɪˈtrəʊðəl /

noun

1. engagement to be married
2. a mutual promise to marry

Other Words From

• pre·be·troth·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of betrothal¹

First recorded in 1835–45; betroth + -al ²

Example Sentences

Then my four-year betrothal to a handsome, wonderful man had been called off, and I was left considering that I might have deliberately blown it up.

From Los Angeles Times

Mr Baxter, who works as a lab technician, said he believed it was a betrothal ring.

From BBC

For Nasreen, getting to New Delhi after she ran away from her family and the betrothal they had arranged for her was a daring feat.

From New York Times

In Field, he thought he had found someone to love and grow old with and the pair had undergone a "betrothal" ceremony in 2014.

From BBC

“Bride prices,” a tradition of betrothal gifts paid to the woman’s family, are skyrocketing.

From New York Times