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

Five hundred years on from that Codex, who knew that da Vinci’s, Michelangelo’s and Dürer’s anatomical work would augment our view of the auspicious Sanchez/Bezos nuptial collection of modern bodies at this juncture in Venice? —Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025

On Friday the Bezos-Sanchez nuptial festivities are expected to take place on the island of San Giorgio, known for the Church of San Giorgio Maggiore designed by famous architect Andrea Palladio. —Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 26 June 2025

Noun

After the celebrity nuptials wrapped, Bloom posted some inspirational quotes on his Instagram Story on June 30. —Edward Segarra, USA Today, 4 July 2025

Beyond preparing for her lavish nuptials, Sánchez keeps busy with several business ventures. —Grace Tucker, The Enquirer, 2 July 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