nuptial

[ nuhp-shuhl, -chuhl ]

adjective

1. of or relating to marriage or the marriage ceremony:

   the nuptial day;

   nuptial vows.

2. of, relating to, or characteristic of mating or the mating season of animals:

   nuptial behavior.

noun

1. Usually nuptials. a wedding or marriage.

nuptial

/ -tʃəl; ˈnʌpʃəl /

adjective

1. relating to marriage; conjugal

   nuptial vows

2. zoology of or relating to mating

   the nuptial flight of a queen bee

Pronunciation Note

The pronunciations [nuhp, -choo-, uh, l] and [nuhp, -shoo-, uh, l], by analogy with such words as mutual and actual, are not considered standard.

Derived Forms

• ˈnuptially, adverb

Other Words From

• nuptial·ly adverb
• quasi-nuptial adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of nuptial¹

First recorded in 1480–90; ( Middle French ) from Latin nuptiālis, equivalent to nupti(ae) “marriage, wedding,” derivative of nūbere “(of a woman) to marry” + -ālis adjective suffix; nubile

Word History and Origins

Origin of nuptial¹

C15: from Latin nuptiālis, from nuptiae marriage, from nubere to marry

Synonym Study

See marriage.

Example Sentences

Thrust into the limelight by a confluence of nuptial relations and the U.S. election result, Boulos has become a conversation topic across the region on social media and television talk shows.

From Los Angeles Times

The Ancient Greek and Roman elite held multi-day nuptial feasts, a tradition that was carried into the Middle Ages when weddings served as important political and social transactions between countries and kingdoms.

From Salon

In an exclusive interview with People, Underwood and Hart spoke about the process of their wedding planning and the nuptial day itself.

From Los Angeles Times

A celebration of June weddings will feature a cheeky range of nuptial fare, including “Monsoon Wedding,” “The Wedding Banquet” and “Bride of Frankenstein.”

From Los Angeles Times

Six months to the day after meeting at a Starbucks, Jane and I posed for nuptial photos by the fountain outside the county clerk’s office in Laguna Hills.

From Los Angeles Times