adj

betrothed

bih-TROHTHD

adj

Formally promised in marriage; engaged.

"She was betrothed to a man she had never met."

"The two families had betrothed their children as infants."

noun

The person one is engaged to marry; a fiancé or fiancée.

"He introduced his betrothed to the rest of the wedding party."

How to Use Betrothed

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA formal, slightly old-fashioned word for someone's fiancé/fiancée, or for being engaged.

Common pairings

his betrothed betrothed since childhood

more betrothed comparative, betrotheds plural, most betrothed superlative

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She was _____ to a man she had never met.

Past participle of betroth, from Middle English, built from be- + trouthe ("truth, pledge") — literally "to pledge one's truth to."

clothed