# honeymoon

/ˈhəniˌmun/ (US) · /hˈʌnɪmˌuːn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/honeymoon
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. post-wedding holiday

noun · CEFR B1

a holiday taken by a couple who have just got married.

For teachers: a vacation taken by a newly married couple immediately following their wedding.

- They went to Italy for their honeymoon and spent two weeks in Rome.
- The couple opted for a secluded honeymoon in the Maldives, seeking total relaxation after the stress of planning a large wedding.

### 2. early happy period

noun · CEFR B2

the early part of a new relationship or job when everything seems perfect and everyone is happy.

For teachers: an initial period of harmony and goodwill, often in a professional or political context, before difficulties or criticisms arise.

- The new manager is still in her honeymoon period, so everyone is being very helpful.
- Political analysts noted that the president's honeymoon with the press ended abruptly following the controversial budget announcement.

### 3. to take a honeymoon

verb · CEFR B2

to go on a holiday after getting married.

For teachers: to spend a honeymoon period or take a post-wedding vacation. Intransitive — does not take a direct object.

- The couple decided to honeymoon in the mountains instead of at the beach.
- After their winter wedding, they chose to honeymoon in a remote cabin, far from the distractions of the city.

## Examples

- They went to Italy for their honeymoon.
- After the wedding, the couple spent a two-week honeymoon at a quiet resort in the mountains.
- The new prime minister enjoyed a brief honeymoon with the press, but the positive coverage quickly faded as the economic reality of the new policies became clear to the public.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.