To marry means to become the husband or wife or spouse of someone in a legal or religious ceremony. It can also mean to join or combine two things very closely.
From Old French 'marier', from Latin 'maritare' meaning 'to wed' or 'to give in marriage'. The verb has long been used both for people and for the joining of ideas or things.
Chefs 'marry flavors' and composers 'marry words to music'—once you notice, the metaphor is everywhere. The word shows how powerful the idea of committed joining is in human thinking, far beyond romance.
To marry has historically implied gendered expectations: wives often lost legal autonomy, took their husband’s surname, and were assigned domestic roles, while husbands were framed as heads of household. Many jurisdictions restricted marriage to heterosexual couples and enforced gendered obligations.
Use marry for people of any gender pairing or number where legally recognized, and avoid assuming who will change names, do care work, or earn income based on gender. Respect individuals’ self‑descriptions of their relationships.
["wed","enter into a union with","form a partnership with"]
Women’s organizing and legal challenges have reshaped marriage laws around property, consent, divorce, and gender‑neutral access, expanding who can marry and under what conditions.
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