What is marriage? Pronunciation and usage in English

marriage means . Learn how to pronounce and use marriage through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of marriage

marriagenoun

/ˈmarɪdʒ/
Definition & pronunciation of marriage

Okay, let's break down the pronunciation of "marriage." It can be a tricky one for non-native speakers! Here's how it's generally pronounced:

The most common and widely accepted pronunciation is:

  • marˈrɪdʒ (IPA - International Phonetic Alphabet)

Let's break that down further:

  • mar - Sounds like "mar" as in "farm" – a short, sharp "a" sound.
  • -riage - This is where it gets tricky. It's pronounced like "rid" as in "ridiculous," but with a long 'i' sound, as in “ride.”

Putting it together, it’s like saying “mar-RID-j.”

Here are a few variations you might hear:

  • mar-ij – Some people pronounce the "r" slightly softer and merge the "i" sound a little more. It's still perfectly acceptable.
  • mar-riz – This is less common but sometimes heard, particularly in some regional accents.

Resources to help you hear it:

  • Google Search: Just search "how to pronounce marriage" on Google and you’ll find audio clips.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/marriage/ - This website lets you hear native speakers pronounce the word in different accents.

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you some example sentences using "marriage"?

Usage and examples with the word marriage in English

Let's break down how to use the word "marriage" in English. It's a surprisingly nuanced word with different meanings and usages. Here's a comprehensive guide:

1. Core Meaning: The Legal and Social Institution

  • Definition: At its most basic, "marriage" refers to the legally and socially recognized union between two people. It's a formal agreement, usually with legal rights and responsibilities attached.
  • Examples:
    • "They got married last summer." (Referring to the event of becoming husband and wife)
    • "The legal definition of marriage has changed over time." (Discussing the legal status)
    • "They are planning their marriage ceremony." (The event itself)
    • "Marriage is a beautiful institution." (Referring to the concept)

2. Types of Marriage (Important Distinctions)

  • Monogamy: This is the most common type – a marriage between two people.
  • Polygamy: This refers to having more than one spouse. There are two main types:
    • Polygyny: A man has more than one wife.
    • Polyandry: A woman has more than one husband. (Less common, particularly in modern societies).
  • Same-Sex Marriage: Marriage between two people of the same gender – increasingly recognized legally in many countries.
  • Arranged Marriage: A marriage arranged by families or elders, often based on social and economic factors, rather than solely on individual choice – common in some cultures.
  • Common-Law Marriage: In some regions (like the US), a couple can be legally married without a formal ceremony if they live together as husband and wife and present themselves to the public as such.

3. Using "Marriage" in Phrases and Expressions

  • Get married: To become married. "He's going to get married next year."
  • Marry someone: To become married to someone. "She married a wonderful doctor."
  • Marriage proposal: The act of asking someone to marry you. "He made a romantic marriage proposal under the stars."
  • Wedding: The ceremony and celebration that marks the beginning of a marriage.
  • Marry well: (Often used in historical contexts) - to marry someone of good family and status.
  • Marriage bed: A euphemism for the marital relationship.
  • Marriage counseling: Therapy for couples experiencing difficulties in their marriage.
  • Happy marriage: A successful and fulfilling marriage.
  • Divorce: The legal termination of a marriage.

4. Context and Tone

  • Formal vs. Informal: "Marriage" is generally a formal word. You'd use it in a news report, legal document, or serious conversation. Informal alternatives like “getting hitched,” “tied the knot,” or simply “married” are common in casual speech.
  • Descriptive vs. Emotional: You can describe marriage objectively ("the legal aspects of marriage") or emotionally ("a happy marriage," "a troubled marriage").

5. Examples in Sentences (Variety)

  • “After years of dating, Sarah and David finally decided to marry.”
  • “The marriage rate in the United States is currently around 50%.”
  • “Many cultures have traditional customs surrounding marriage ceremonies.”
  • “Despite facing challenges, they built a strong and lasting marriage.”
  • “The legal definition of marriage continues to be debated and redefined.”
  • “They celebrated their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary.”

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What are you specifically trying to do with the word "marriage"? (e.g., writing an essay, having a conversation, understanding a news article?)
  • Is there a particular context you're interested in? (e.g., legal aspects, cultural differences, historical perspectives?)

Synonyms for the word marriage

Idioms of the word marriage

by marriage
when somebody is related to you by marriage, they are married to somebody in your family, or you are married to somebody in their family
  • Jane and I are related by marriage.
somebody’s hand (in marriage)
(old-fashioned)permission to marry somebody, especially a woman
  • He asked the general for his daughter's hand in marriage.

Practice with vocabulary marriage

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The declining rate of _________ in many industrialized nations has become a subject of demographic study.
  2. Entering into a _________ is a significant life decision with legal and social implications.
  3. Businesses often seek to form strategic _________ to expand their market reach and leverage complementary expertise.
  4. Successfully achieving a large-scale project requires unwavering _________ from all team members.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which of the following words can specifically refer to the legally or formally recognized union of two people as spouses? a) Cohabitation b) Marriage c) Betrothal d) Matrimony

  2. In a historical context, what might be considered a primary institution for establishing families and lineage? a) Kinship b) Commonwealth c) Marriage d) Guild

  3. When discussing the formal recognition of a committed romantic relationship, which terms are appropriate? a) Betrothal b) Matrimony c) Cohabitation d) Nuptials e) Marriage

  4. The company is seeking a long-term professional _________ with a reliable software vendor to enhance its digital infrastructure. a) Accord b) Affiliation c) Alliance d) Engagement

  5. Effective communication is crucial for fostering a strong personal _________ among team members, leading to better collaboration. a) Rapport b) Concord c) Kinship d) Bond

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The couple decided to formalize their relationship with a ceremony. (Rewrite using "marriage")
  2. Sociologists are studying how long-term unions are evolving in modern society. (Rewrite using a related word form of "marriage")
  3. The two organizations formed a lasting agreement to collaborate on future projects. (Rewrite using a suitable replacement word for "agreement", not "marriage")

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. marriage
  2. marriage
  3. partnerships
  4. commitment

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. b) Marriage, d) Matrimony
  2. c) Marriage
  3. b) Matrimony, d) Nuptials, e) Marriage
  4. b) Affiliation, c) Alliance
  5. a) Rapport, d) Bond

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The couple's decision to formalize their relationship culminated in a marriage ceremony.
  2. Sociologists are studying how marital unions are evolving in modern society.
  3. The two organizations formed a lasting partnership to collaborate on future projects.

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