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

Yancy is a close cousin of Trent Walker, the L.A. hipster Vaughn played in Swingers; Beanie Campbell, the ear-muffing father in Old School; and Jeremy Grey, the guy who snuck into various nuptial events in Wedding Crashers. —Jen Chaney, Vulture, 14 Aug. 2024

The earthy orange shade is perfect for autumn and will instantly put you in the fall nuptial spirit. —Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 15 Sep. 2024

Noun

Kim wrote on her blog of the family's 2009 photo, taken at Khloé and Odom's September nuptials. —Kate Hogan, People.com, 21 Dec. 2024

This week’s Outlander celebrates the nuptials of Jamie’s nephew and his Quaker bride with a service that is, per her religion, no-frills. —Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 20 Dec. 2024

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