married

American  

[mar-eed] / ˈmær id /

adjective

1. united in wedlock; wedded.

   married couples.

2. of or relating to marriage or married persons; connubial; conjugal.

   married happiness.

3. (of an antique) created from components of two or more authentic pieces.

4. interconnected or joined; united.

5. (of a family name) acquired through marriage.

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noun

1. Usually marrieds. married couples or married people.

   young marrieds moving into their first home.

married British  

/ ˈmærɪd /

adjective

1. having a husband or wife

2. joined in marriage

   a married couple

3. of or involving marriage or married persons

4. closely or intimately united

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noun

1. (usually plural) a married person (esp in the phrase young marrieds )

Other Word Forms

• marriedly adverb
• unmarried adjective
• well-married adjective

Etymology

Origin of married

Middle English word dating back to 1325–75; see origin at marry ¹, -ed ²

Explanation

Married people are legally committed to each other — they're joined in marriage, or wedded. Even though you may feel emotionally committed to your mate, you need to legally tie the know to be considered married. A married couple has made an official, legal agreement to be partners. If your many brothers and sisters are all married, it means you have a lot of sisters- and brothers-in-law (the spouses of your siblings). You can also use married to describe things that have something to do with marriage: "Those two are the picture of married bliss." The Latin root of married is maritare, "to wed or to marry."

Example Sentences

The child's mother was in a lesbian relationship at the time of conception, but not married.

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2026

He was also a longtime Democrat, a married gay man and champion of liberal causes with extremely good connections -- Aretha Franklin sang at his wedding.

From Barron's • Apr. 21, 2026

Murphy agreed, saying: “If they ever get married and have a child, I’m expecting the child to be funny.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 20, 2026

Six weeks before his assassination in September, Charlie Kirk tweeted “More people should get married young and have more kids than they can afford.”

From Salon • Apr. 20, 2026

The couple told Kate and Mother that they were to be married.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock