Explanation at your level:
If you are married, you have a husband or a wife. You can say 'I am married' to tell people about your family. It is a very useful word for talking about your life.
Being married means you are in a legal relationship with someone. People often ask, 'Are you married?' when they meet new friends. It is a common way to describe your status.
The term married is used to describe a person who has a spouse. It is common to hear phrases like 'happily married' or 'a married couple'. It is a neutral word used in both social and official contexts.
Beyond just a status, married can imply a long-term commitment. You might hear it in contexts like 'married into a family' or 'married to the idea', which is a figurative way of saying you are fully committed to something.
In advanced English, married can be used metaphorically. For instance, 'He is married to his career' suggests an all-consuming dedication. It is also used in formal legal documents to define specific rights and responsibilities within a union.
Historically and culturally, the concept of being married carries heavy weight. It is often discussed in literary contexts regarding social expectations and the evolution of the nuclear family. Understanding the nuance of the word helps in analyzing complex social dynamics in English literature.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Married means having a spouse.
- It is an adjective, not a verb.
- Always use 'married to' when naming the spouse.
- It is a very common and neutral term.
The word married is one of the most common adjectives in the English language. It describes someone who has a spouse, meaning they have a husband or a wife. Think of it as a status that changes your legal and social standing in society.
You will hear this word used in everyday life, from filling out forms to chatting with friends about their families. It is a neutral term that simply states a fact about a person's relationship status. Whether you are talking about a wedding or a long-term partnership, married is the go-to word to describe that bond.
The word married comes from the Middle English word marien, which traces back to the Old French marier. This itself comes from the Latin word maritare, meaning 'to wed' or 'to give in marriage'. Interestingly, the root mar- is linked to the Latin mas, which means 'male'.
Over centuries, the word evolved from a verb describing the act of getting wed to an adjective describing the state of being wed. It has maintained a consistent meaning throughout history, representing a fundamental social contract in almost every culture around the world. It is a classic example of how Latin roots have shaped modern English vocabulary.
You use married primarily with the verb 'to be'. For example, 'She is married' or 'They got married'. It is very versatile and fits into both formal and casual settings perfectly. You might see it on official documents under a 'Marital Status' section or hear it in a casual conversation at a party.
Common collocations include happily married, newly married, and married couple. These combinations help add context to the state of the relationship. It is a very straightforward word, so you don't need to worry about complex nuances when using it in your daily English practice.
1. Tie the knot: To get married. 'They decided to tie the knot in Hawaii.'
2. Hitched: A casual way to say married. 'So, when are you two getting hitched?'
3. Wedded bliss: A state of perfect happiness in marriage. 'They are enjoying their wedded bliss.'
4. Married to the job: To be so dedicated to work that it's like a marriage. 'He is basically married to the job.'
5. Shotgun wedding: A wedding forced by an unplanned pregnancy. (Use with caution as it is dated/informal).
Married is an adjective, so it does not have a plural form. You use it with the verb 'to be' (am/is/are/was/were). The IPA pronunciation is /ˈmærid/. The stress is on the first syllable, making the 'i' sound very short, almost like a 'uh' sound.
It rhymes with words like carried, harried, and buried. Remember that it is an adjective, so you cannot say 'I married a wife' (that would be the verb form). Instead, say 'I am married to my wife'. This distinction is crucial for clear communication.
Fun Fact
The root 'mar-' is linked to the Latin word for male.
Pronunciation Guide
Short 'a' sound, clear 'd' at the end.
Very similar to UK, slightly more nasal 'a'.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing it as 'marry-ed' (3 syllables)
- Confusing with 'merry'
- Confusing with 'marry' (verb)
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Very easy to read
Easy to use
Commonly used
Easy to hear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Present Perfect for duration
I have been married for ten years.
Adjective usage
She is married.
Verb vs Adjective
I marry (verb) vs I am married (adj).
Examples by Level
I am married.
I have a spouse
Subject + verb + adjective
She is married.
She has a husband
Third person singular
They are married.
They have a union
Plural subject
Are you married?
Question about status
Inversion for question
He is not married.
He is single
Negative form
My friend is married.
My friend has a spouse
Possessive adjective
We are happily married.
We are happy together
Adverb + adjective
They got married today.
The wedding is now
Past tense verb
She has been married for ten years.
They are a married couple.
He is married to a doctor.
Are your parents married?
I want to be married one day.
They are happily married people.
The married man walked home.
She is married, not single.
They have been happily married for over two decades.
Being married requires a lot of patience and communication.
He is married to his work, so he has no time for hobbies.
Many people choose to get married in the spring.
The married couple bought their first house together.
She is married into a very large family.
It is a big step to get married.
Are you legally married in this country?
He is married to the idea that change is always good.
The couple has been married for fifty years, which is a rare milestone.
She is married to a man she met in college.
They are a happily married pair with three children.
Getting married is a significant life transition.
He is married to his profession, often working late nights.
The legal rights of a married person are protected by law.
They are married in the eyes of the law.
His dedication to the project is so intense, he is practically married to it.
The social expectations of being married have changed significantly over the last century.
She is married to the concept of minimalism in her design work.
They have been married for a lifetime, sharing every joy and sorrow.
The legal status of being married grants specific tax benefits.
He is married to his principles, never wavering from his values.
The institution of being married is viewed differently across various cultures.
She is married to the idea of traveling the world before settling down.
The socio-economic implications of being married are often debated in academic circles.
He is married to the pursuit of truth, regardless of the personal cost.
The historical evolution of being married reflects shifting gender roles.
She is married to her craft, spending hours refining her technique.
The concept of being married has been romanticized in literature for centuries.
They are married in spirit, if not by legal contract.
The complexities of being married are often explored in modern psychological studies.
He is married to the memory of his past, unable to move forward.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"Tie the knot"
To get married.
They are going to tie the knot next year.
casual"Hitched"
Married.
They got hitched in Vegas.
casual"Wedded bliss"
Perfect happiness in marriage.
They are living in wedded bliss.
formal"Married to the job"
Devoted entirely to work.
He is married to the job.
casual"Walk down the aisle"
To get married.
She is finally going to walk down the aisle.
neutral"Say 'I do'"
To agree to marry someone.
They will say 'I do' this weekend.
neutralEasily Confused
Sounds similar.
Merry means happy; married means having a spouse.
Merry Christmas vs. A married man.
It is the verb form.
Marry is the action; married is the state.
I want to marry her vs. I am married to her.
It is the noun form.
Marriage is the institution; married is the person.
Their marriage is strong vs. They are married.
Opposite status.
Single means no spouse; married means having one.
Are you single or married?
Sentence Patterns
Subject + is/are + married + to + object
He is married to Sarah.
Subject + get/got + married
They got married last year.
Subject + have/has + been + married + for + time
They have been married for five years.
Subject + is/are + happily + married
They are happily married.
Subject + is/are + married + into + group
She is married into a wealthy family.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
9/10
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Married is a transitive verb when used without 'to'.
You must use the past participle as an adjective.
Use 'to' after married as an adjective.
Use present perfect for duration.
Must use the adjective form.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine a wedding ring on your finger whenever you say the word.
Native Speakers
They use 'got married' for the event and 'am married' for the state.
Cultural Insight
Marriage is a legal contract in most English-speaking countries.
Grammar Shortcut
Always follow 'married' with 'to' when naming the spouse.
Say It Right
Keep the second syllable very short.
Don't Make This Mistake
Never say 'married with'.
Did You Know?
The word is very old, dating back to the 13th century.
Study Smart
Use it in sentences about people you know.
Rhyme Time
Rhyme it with 'carried' to get the sound right.
Formal vs Casual
Use 'married' in formal settings, 'hitched' with friends.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Married: M-A-R-R-I-E-D (My Always Real Relationship In Every Day).
Visual Association
Two rings connected together.
Word Web
Challenge
Write three sentences about people you know who are married.
Word Origin
Middle English
Original meaning: To wed
Cultural Context
Marriage traditions vary greatly by religion and culture.
Marriage is a significant social and legal milestone, often celebrated with ceremonies.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Social introductions
- Are you married?
- I have been married for years.
Official forms
- Marital status: married.
- Name of spouse.
Wedding planning
- We are getting married soon.
- The married couple.
Workplace
- He is married to his career.
- Family leave for married employees.
Conversation Starters
"How long have you been married?"
"Do you think it is important to be married?"
"What is the secret to a happy married life?"
"Would you prefer a big wedding or a small one?"
"How has the idea of being married changed?"
Journal Prompts
Describe what you think a perfect married life looks like.
Write about a wedding you attended.
Why do people choose to get married?
How does being married change a person's life?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsIt is an adjective. 'Marry' is the verb.
No, always use 'married to'.
MA-rid.
Yes, but 'wedded' is much more formal.
Marriage.
Yes, it applies to all legal marriages.
Only figuratively, like 'married to the job'.
No, it's an adjective.
Test Yourself
She is ___ to a kind man.
Adjective form is needed.
Which sentence is correct?
Use 'to' after married.
Can you say 'I am happily married'?
Yes, this is a common collocation.
Word
Meaning
Matches idioms and synonyms.
The happy couple is married.
Score: /5
Summary
To be married is to be in a committed, legal, or social union with a spouse.
- Married means having a spouse.
- It is an adjective, not a verb.
- Always use 'married to' when naming the spouse.
- It is a very common and neutral term.
Memory Palace
Imagine a wedding ring on your finger whenever you say the word.
Native Speakers
They use 'got married' for the event and 'am married' for the state.
Cultural Insight
Marriage is a legal contract in most English-speaking countries.
Grammar Shortcut
Always follow 'married' with 'to' when naming the spouse.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Phrases
More family words
عاقد
B1Marriage officiant.
عضو بودن
B1To be a member (of a family).
عقد
B1Marriage contract; formal engagement ceremony.
عقد کردن
B1To get married; to formalize a marriage contract.
عمه
A1Paternal aunt; the sister of one's father.
عمه زاده
B1Paternal cousin (child of paternal aunt).
عمهزاده
B1Paternal aunt's child (cousin).
عمو
A1Paternal uncle; the brother of one's father.
عموزاده
A2A cousin (child of one's paternal uncle).
عنایت
B1Care; attention; favor; consideration.
