prenuptial

American  

[pree-nuhp-shuhl, ‑chuhl] / priˈnʌp ʃəl, ‑tʃəl /

adjective

1. before marriage.

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prenuptial British  

/ -tʃəl, priːˈnʌpʃəl /

adjective

1. occurring or existing before marriage

   a prenuptial agreement

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Pronunciation

See nuptial.

Usage

What does prenuptial mean? Prenuptial means before marriage.Prenuptial is most commonly used in the term prenuptial agreement, which refers to a legal contract entered into by a couple before marriage that specifies things like the division of their finances and assets, especially in case the marriage ends, such as through divorce. It is commonly called a prenup for short.Example: Everyone thought it was strange that we had a prenuptial agreement, but life is unpredictable.

Etymology

Origin of prenuptial

First recorded in 1865–70; pre- + nuptial

Example Sentences

In addition to the wedding certificate, James signed a prenuptial agreement that Burden’s mother insisted upon.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026

These services are often packaged with other family-office services, with firms handling everything from paying clients’ bills to helping with estate planning and prenuptial agreements.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 17, 2026

A will cannot override a life estate, a prenuptial agreement or named beneficiaries.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 3, 2026

I eventually remarried — another kind man, also in his second marriage — and we signed a strong prenuptial agreement.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 17, 2026

Marriages, Dangerous, 875; canonical consequences, 879; prenuptial guarantees, 880; remedies against mixed and dangerous marriages, 881.

From Moral Theology A Complete Course Based on St. Thomas Aquinas and the Best Modern Authorities by Callan, Charles Jerome