Cool MateGetting married vs Matrimony
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Getting married
Top 2,000 (common)
Matrimony
FormalTop 3,000 (common)B1noun
Most formal: MatrimonyMost common: Getting married
| Getting married | Matrimony | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈɡɛtɪŋ ˈmærɪd//🇺🇸 //ˈɡɛtɪŋ ˈmɛrɪd// | 🇬🇧 //ˈmætrɪməni//🇺🇸 //ˈmætrɪmoʊni// |
| Meaning | When two people promise to live together as a couple. | Marriage, the state of being married. |
| Example | They are planning on getting married next summer. | Their matrimony was celebrated with a grand wedding ceremony. |
| Register | Neutral | Formal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | B1 |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | getting married soon, getting married in a church, getting married abroad | enter matrimony, sacred matrimony, blessed matrimony |
| Antonyms | getting divorced, separating, splitting up | 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 '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. | 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 Matrimony
What's the difference between Getting married and Matrimony?
Getting married: When two people promise to live together as a couple. Matrimony: Marriage, the state of being married.
Which is more formal: Getting married and Matrimony?
Matrimony is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Getting married and Matrimony?
Getting married is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Getting married: They are planning on getting married next summer. Matrimony: Their matrimony was celebrated with a grand wedding ceremony.
Can I use Getting married and Matrimony interchangeably?
Not always. Getting married 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.