English Reference
noun

bride

n.
US /ˈbɹaɪd/ UK /bɹˈaɪd/ bride UK spelling bride's, bride's

  1. 01 B1 Intermediate

    a woman who is getting married or has very recently married.

    a female participant in a marriage ceremony, specifically from the time of the engagement through the immediate aftermath of the wedding.

    Simple

    The bride wore a beautiful white dress and carried a bunch of flowers.

    In context

    The bride walked down the aisle accompanied by her father, while the guests stood to acknowledge her entrance.

    Usage

    Often used in the fixed phrase 'bride and groom'.

    Teacher's tip

    While 'bride' refers to the woman on the day, she is called a 'fiancée' before the wedding and a 'wife' after the honeymoon period begins.

    Pitfall
    The bride and her husband were very happy. The bride and groom were very happy.

    In the context of the wedding ceremony itself, 'bride' is almost always paired with 'groom' rather than 'husband'.

    newlywed
  2. 02 C2 Proficiency Technical

    a small thread or loop that connects different parts of a lace pattern.

    a small bridge or connecting thread used in needle lace to join various elements of the design.

    Simple

    The artist used delicate brides to hold the floral patterns of the lace together.

    In context

    The structural integrity of the antique lace depended on the strength of the fine brides connecting the heavy floral motifs.

    Usage

    Usually appears in the plural form 'brides' when discussing textile construction.

This entry
Level B1 · Intermediate
Frequency Common
Updated