betroth

verb

be·​troth bi-ˈtrōt͟h  -ˈtrȯth 

bē-

betrothed; betrothing; betroths

transitive verb

1

: to promise to marry

2

: to give in marriage

Examples of betroth in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

When Marie Antoinette was betrothed to the future King Louis XVI in 1770, she was given a suite of jewelry in a diamond-bow motif. — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 6 July 2026

The song has since soundtracked countless proposals and first dances for Swifties and their betrothed all over the world. — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 2 July 2026

When Westley is presumed dead at the hands of pirates, she is betrothed to the evil Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon), before being kidnapped by the trio of Vizzini (Wallace Shawn), Fezzik (André the Giant) and Inigo Montoya (Mandy Patinkin). — David Faris, TheWeek, 16 Apr. 2026

Season 3 starts around four years after high school, when Elordi’s Nate and Sweeney’s Cassie are betrothed and living in that golf-course castle. — Carla Meyer, San Francisco Chronicle, 8 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from be- + trouthe truth, troth

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for betroth

• ingrowth
• outgrowth
• both
• doeth
• growth
• loath
• oath
• quoth
• sloth
• troth
• undergrowth

Kids Definition

betroth

verb

be·​troth bi-ˈträth  -ˈtrȯth 

-ˈtrōth

or with t͟h

: to promise to marry or give in marriage