nuptial

1 of 2

adjective

nup·​tial ˈnəp-shəl 

-chəl,

nonstandard

-shə-wəl 

nonstandard

-chə-wəl 

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 used in plural

… preparations were instantly commenced for the approaching nuptials.

—W. H. Prescott

Synonyms

Adjective

• marital
• wedded

Noun

• wedding
• marriage

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

Adjective

Easily half the nuptial weekend’s Figaro-esque comedy was brought by the great chase given by the guests and the attendant Sanchez/Bezos party-planning and security apparatus to the coursing hounds of the international press. —Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025

The episode, which aired on Prime Video on Wednesday, Aug. 6, sees Belly running nuptial errands with ex Conrad’s help because Jeremiah is working. —Sabrina Weiss, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025

Noun

The last time that the tiara was seen was when Diana’s niece Celia McCorquodale wore it to her nuptials in 2018. —Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 24 Aug. 2025

And despite what the haters are saying, Jeremiah is currently winning the war for Belly's heart: The pair are engaged and the third and final season has largely revolved around the upcoming nuptials. —Shania Russell, EW.com, 24 Aug. 2025

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

Kids Definition

nuptial

1 of 2 adjective

nup·​tial ˈnəp-shəl  -chəl 

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