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 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
For some brides, cultural superstitions add yet another complicated layer to the nuptial-planning process. — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 24 Aug. 2026 Some couples use pre- or post-nuptial agreements to keep ownership separate. — Miranda Marquit, Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 Aug. 2026
Noun
The nuptials come less than a month after McCord and Cipriani sparked backlash with an online fundraiser for the event. — Edward Segarra, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026 The pair, who share five children, announced their nuptials earlier this month with an Instagram photo of their wedding bands, before revealing the details of their intimate living room ceremony held at their home to Vogue. — Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 24 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 1 Sep. 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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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