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

The widow in the opening is the young laundress Greta (Jella Haase), who receives news of her fiancé’s death and then gets betrothed to him soon afterwards, in a ceremony that has the local pastor (Martin Wuttke) marrying her off to an army helmet. — Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 23 Sep. 2026

This, together with the execution of Lyanna’s father and oldest brother by Rhaegar’s father, the titular Mad King Aerys II, spurs Lyanna’s betrothed, Robert Baratheon (Callum Woodhouse), to move against Aerys. — Rafael Motamayor, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026

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

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

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