What does premarital mean?
The term premarital refers to anything that occurs or exists before marriage. It is commonly used in discussions about relationships, counseling, and agreements. Premarital counseling, for instance, is a service provided to couples before they get married, aiming to prepare them for married life. The word premarital is also used to describe agreements or contracts made before marriage, such as prenuptial agreements. Overall, premarital is a useful term for describing the period before marriage and the various aspects that come with it.
adjectiveRelating to or occurring before marriage.
- Relating to or occurring before marriage.
- Of or relating to a period before marriage.
"The couple had a premarital counseling session to discuss their expectations."
"The couple had a premarital agreement to protect their individual assets."
"The premarital phase of their relationship was filled with excitement and uncertainty."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of premarital
The word premarital originated from the prefix 'pre-', meaning 'before', and 'marital', which relates to marriage. The term has been in use since the early 20th century and is derived from the Latin words 'prae', meaning 'before', and 'matrimonium', meaning 'marriage'.
Usage notes
Often used in formal or official contexts, such as in reference to premarital counseling, agreements, or sex.