Engaged to be married; promised to marry someone in the future.
From Old English 'betreowan' meaning to trust or pledge; the 'be-' prefix intensifies 'treowan' (to trust), so you're 'fully trusting' someone with your marriage promise.
The word 'betrothed' sounds fancy and old-fashioned because it IS—modern English has replaced it with simpler 'engaged,' so it now appears mainly in fantasy novels and historical romance where it adds that period flavor.
Historically applied asymmetrically: women were 'betrothed' (promised/owned), often without agency in arranged marriages; men were rarely described this way. Reflects patriarchal property frameworks around marriage.
Use for both parties equally, or prefer modern language like 'engaged' that implies mutual agreement.
["engaged","committed"]
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