married
- 01 A1 Beginner
adj.having a husband or a wife.
adj.joined in marriage; having a spouse. This is a non-gradable adjective.
Simple“They have been married for ten years and have two children.”
In context“Although they have been married for several decades, they still maintain the habit of taking a long walk together every evening.”
UsageUsually follows the verb 'to be' or 'to get'.
PitfallShe is married with a doctor. She is married to a doctor.In English, you are married 'to' someone, not 'with' them.
- 02 C1 Advanced
adj.being very dedicated or attached to something, like a job or a hobby.
adj.figuratively committed or devoted to a particular activity, idea, or career to the exclusion of other interests.
Simple“He is married to his work and rarely takes a day off.”
In context“The professor was so married to his research that he often forgot to eat or sleep during the final weeks of the project.”
Teacher's tipThis is a metaphorical use; it implies the person treats their work or hobby with the same level of commitment as a spouse.
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.people who are in a marriage.
n.a person who is married, typically used in the plural to refer to couples.
Simple“The resort offers special discounts for the newly married.”
In context“The tax laws distinguish between the single and the married, providing different brackets for joint filings.”
Usage married man
From Middle English maried, imaried, mariet, past participle of Middle English marien (“to marry”), equivalent to marry + -ed.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.