Cool MateGetting married vs Marriage vs Matrimony
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Getting married
Marriage
Matrimony
| Getting married | Marriage | Matrimony | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈɡɛtɪŋ ˈmærɪd//🇺🇸 //ˈɡɛtɪŋ ˈmɛrɪd// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈmærɪdʒ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈmærɪdʒ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈmætrɪməni//🇺🇸 //ˈmætrɪmoʊni// |
| Meaning | When two people promise to live together as a couple. | A legal union between two people, usually involving a ceremony. | Marriage, the state of being married. |
| Example | They are planning on getting married next summer. | Marriage is a significant commitment between two people. | Their matrimony was celebrated with a grand wedding ceremony. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Formal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | B1 | B1 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun | |
| Collocations | getting married soon, getting married in a church, getting married abroad | good, happy, successful, have, propose, enter into, last, be over, break down, vows, plans, proposal, by a marriage, from a marriage, by marriage, ask for somebody’s hand in marriage, win somebody’s hand in marriage, the break-up of a marriage, good, happy, successful, have, propose, enter into, last, be over, break down, vows, plans, proposal, by a marriage, from a marriage, by marriage, ask for somebody’s hand in marriage, win somebody’s hand in marriage, the break-up of a marriage, Christian, Jewish, etc., celebrate, be held, take place, ceremony, certificate, contract, at a/the marriage, marriage to | enter matrimony, sacred matrimony, blessed matrimony |
| Antonyms | getting divorced, separating, splitting up | divorce, separation | divorce, separation |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'getting marry' - correct is 'getting married'., Incorrectly use in past tense without context, e.g., 'I got married last year.' without a timeline., Assuming it applies to couples only, ignoring common-law or civil partnerships. | Confused with 'marriage' vs 'married'., Using 'marriage' in a context that implies a temporary relationship., Incorrectly pluralizing 'marriage' as 'marriages' when referring to the concept in general. | Confused with 'matrimonial' which refers to things related to marriage., Using it interchangeably with 'relationship', which has a broader meaning. |
| Usage notes | Used in both spoken and written English. Appropriate in formal situations like weddings and informal discussions about relationships. | Use 'marriage' in both formal and informal contexts. Appropriate when discussing partnerships, legal matters, or family. Avoid in casual settings when making jokes. | Used in formal contexts, often related to legal or religious aspects of marriage. Not appropriate in casual conversations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Getting married vs Marriage vs Matrimony
What's the difference between Getting married, Marriage, and Matrimony?
Getting married: When two people promise to live together as a couple. Marriage: A legal union between two people, usually involving a ceremony. Matrimony: Marriage, the state of being married.
Which is more formal: Getting married, Marriage, and Matrimony?
Matrimony is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Getting married, Marriage, and Matrimony?
Marriage is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Getting married: They are planning on getting married next summer. Marriage: Marriage is a significant commitment between two people. Matrimony: Their matrimony was celebrated with a grand wedding ceremony.
Can I use Getting married, Marriage, and Matrimony interchangeably?
Not always. Getting married, Marriage, and Matrimony are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.