nuptial

1 of 2

adjective

nup·​tial ˈnəp-shəl How to pronounce nuptial (audio)
-chəl
nonstandard
-shə-wəl How to pronounce nuptial (audio)
nonstandard
-chə-wəl How to pronounce nuptial (audio)
Synonyms of nuptial
1
: of or relating to marriage or the marriage ceremony
nuptial vows
nuptial bliss
2
: characteristic of or occurring in the breeding season
nuptial flight

nuptial

2 of 2

noun

: marriage, wedding
—usually used in plural
… preparations were instantly commenced for the approaching nuptials.—W. H. Prescott

Synonyms of nuptial

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Adjective

Noun

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Examples of nuptial in a Sentence

Adjective newlyweds still in a state of nuptial bliss Noun their nuptials will take place at the university chapel
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Some couples use pre- or post-nuptial agreements to keep ownership separate. — Miranda Marquit, Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 Aug. 2026 According to Daniel Martin, the celebrity makeup artist responsible for Meghan Markle’s jaw-dropping nuptial glow, the day before your wedding, your skincare should focus on delivering layers of hydration and soothing ingredients to your complexion. — Rio Viera-Newton, Vogue, 23 July 2026
Noun
Anne accessorized with the Queen Mary Fringe tiara — the same one her mother wore on her wedding day — for her nuptials, which were covered in an eight-hour BBC broadcast. — Ariana Quihuiz, PEOPLE, 7 Aug. 2026 Many of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s 1,000 wedding guests at their July 3 nuptials have raved about the soirée at New York City’s Madison Square Garden. — Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for nuptial

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French nuptial, nupcial, borrowed from Latin nuptiālis "of a marriage or wedding," from nuptiae "marriage, wedding" (from nupta "married woman, bride," noun derivative from feminine of nuptus —past participle of nūbere "[of a woman] to get married"— + -iae, plural of -ia, denominal suffix of appurtenance) + -ālis -al entry 1 — more at nubile

Noun

derivative of nuptial entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

circa 1555, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nuptial was in the 15th century

Rhymes for nuptial

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Browse Nearby Words

nupson
nuptial
nuptial father
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nuptial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nuptial. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

nuptial

1 of 2 adjective
nup·​tial ˈnəp-shəl How to pronounce nuptial (audio) -chəl How to pronounce nuptial (audio)
1
: of or relating to marriage or a wedding
2
: typical of the breeding season

nuptial

2 of 2 noun
: wedding
—usually used in plural

More from Merriam-Webster on nuptial

Nglish: Translation of nuptial for Spanish Speakers

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