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

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 princess bride was escorted down the aisle by her father, the future reigning prince of Liechtenstein, and the nuptial mass music was performed by the St Florin Vaduz Church Choir and Schola St Florin. —Janine Henni, People.com, 1 Sep. 2025

And since colonies are ever-expanding, males and virgin queens-to-be will leave their colonies and embark on nuptial flight. —Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 22 July 2025

Noun

Abby quietly married Josh, an army veteran and nurse, in 2021, though news of their nuptials didn’t break until 2024. —Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025

Compton and Lewan joked that Jason was giving a hint of his potential best man speech for Travis and Swift's upcoming nuptials. —Michael Nied, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025

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