Betroth

Pronunciation

• US IPA: /bəˈtroʊð/
• Rhymes: -əʊð

Origin

Middle English bitreuthien, from treuthe ("truth"). See also troth.

Full definition of betroth

Verb

1. To promise to give in marriage.He betrothed his daughter to a distant relative.
• 1885 — Gilbert and Sullivan, We loved each other at once, but she was betrothed to her guardian Ko-Ko, a cheap tailor.
2. To promise to take (as a future spouse); to plight one's troth to.What man is there that hath betrothed a wife, and hath not taken her? — Deuteronomy.

Derived terms

• betrothable
• betrothed