betroth

verb

be·​troth bi-ˈtrōt͟h How to pronounce betroth (audio) -ˈtrȯth How to pronounce betroth (audio)
bē-
betrothed; betrothing; betroths
Synonyms of betrothnext

transitive verb

1
: to promise to marry
2
: to give in marriage

Examples of betroth in a Sentence

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.
The song has since soundtracked countless proposals and first dances for Swifties and their betrothed all over the world. — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 2 July 2026 Season 3 starts around four years after high school, when Elordi’s Nate and Sweeney’s Cassie are betrothed and living in that golf-course castle. — Carla Meyer, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 Apr. 2026 That war was triggered when the Mad King’s son, Rhaegar Targaryen, seemingly abducted Lyanna Stark, who was betrothed to Robert Baratheon. — Ryan Brennan april 3, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2026 In the film Queen Kelly, produced in 1928-1929, a convent girl is abducted and seduced by a prince betrothed to a mad queen, an event that drastically changes the course of her life. — Karen Leigh, CBS News, 7 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for betroth

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from be- + trouthe truth, troth

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of betroth was in the 14th century

Rhymes for betroth

See All Rhymes for betroth

Browse Nearby Words

betrim
betroth
betrothal
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Betroth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/betroth. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

betroth

verb
be·​troth bi-ˈträth How to pronounce betroth (audio) -ˈtrȯth How to pronounce betroth (audio)
-ˈtrōth
or with t͟h
: to promise to marry or give in marriage

More from Merriam-Webster on betroth

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for betroth

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