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

• conjugal
• connubial
• marital
• married
• matrimonial
• wedded

Noun

• bridal
• espousal
• marriage
• wedding

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

When a reservation mishap leads to Jim’s daughter, Jenni (Geraldine Viswanathan), and Margot’s sister, Neve (Meredith Hagner), being double-booked to marry at the same small island inn over the same weekend, Jim and Margot channel their anxieties into what escalates into a nuptial war. —Alison Willmore, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2025

The old tradition that the bride’s parents should cover the bill is no longer nuptial canon. —Virginia Van Zanten, Vogue, 9 Jan. 2025

Noun

The nuptials made headlines in the run-up to the big day because an engagement between the couple was never formally announced and came just nine months after Nikolaos and Tatiana's divorce was announced. —Janine Henni, People.com, 13 Feb. 2025

Not everyone dreams of extravagant nuptials—just ask Ruth and Martyn Ridyard, who opted for a cheap and cheerful surprise wedding that went down brilliantly with friends and family. —Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 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