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

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

Khloe Kardashian makes a case for an elevated braid as part of her look for Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s baraat (or, a grand nuptial procession that is part of a traditional Indian wedding) thanks to celebrity hair stylist Chris Appleton. —Kylee McGuigan, Vogue, 13 July 2024

Noun

But after assessing the situation at their venue and the surrounding area, the couple made the difficult decision to postpone their nuptials until March 2025. —Erin Clack, People.com, 21 Oct. 2024

Like many industries, bridal fashion went through a lull during the pandemic, followed by a rush of demand as couples rescheduled their nuptials. —Allison Morrow, CNN, 11 Oct. 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