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 of nuptial

Adjective

• marital
• wedded

Noun

• wedding
• marriage

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

While many of the headlines surrounding Swift this summer have largely focused on her impending wedding with Travis Kelce, her non-nuptial activities have been very country forward. — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 29 June 2026

Famous guests who will reportedly attend the post-nuptial party include Elton John, Charli XCX, Mark Ronson, and Donatella Versace. — Sharareh Drury, Entertainment Weekly, 2 June 2026

Noun

Paisley and his wife, actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley, were among the lucky guests invited to witness the nuptials, which were shrouded in mystery as even those attending were given little detail about the event. — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 21 July 2026

The country singer, 53, attended the July 3 nuptials with his wife, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, after the couple received their invite with top secret instructions. — Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 20 July 2026

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

Rhymes for nuptial

• antenuptial

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