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

The couple couldn’t risk sending their event programs to be printed at a copier shop in case a nosy shop worker snuck a photo of the nuptial details to a reporter. —Kate Storey, Rolling Stone, 5 Mar. 2026

One Connecticut store owner offers new wedding dresses, but also gently worn wedding dresses, mother of the bride dresses, bridesmaid dresses, and many other items a couple might need for the nuptial day, said Lisa Antonecchia. —Emily M. Olson, Hartford Courant, 4 Feb. 2026

Noun

Grace Kelly’s 1959 nuptials to Prince Rainier III of Monaco has served as inspiration to countless other brides, including Kate Middleton. —Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 7 Mar. 2026

The pop superstar, who has been dating football tight end Travis Kelce since 2023, will definitely invite Gomez to the upcoming nuptials. —Bryan West, USA Today, 4 Mar. 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

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