What does marrying mean?
Marrying means becoming married or taking part in the process of marriage. The word is the present participle of the verb “marry” and is especially natural in progressive constructions: a couple may be described as “getting married,” “planning their wedding,” or as being in the process of marrying. It can also describe an action that causes marriage, although that older or more literary sense is less common today. In everyday usage, marrying carries warm, personal associations with commitment, celebration, and the formation of a family. The related adjective “marrying” can characterize someone’s attitude toward marriage, as in “a marrying man,” while “marriage” names the institution or relationship itself. Although people may marry for love, practical reasons, family expectation, or legal convenience, the verb itself does not imply any single motive.
To become married, or to be in the process of marrying.
"The two families are gathering in London while the couple is marrying."
Often used with a progressive form in modern English, especially for a planned wedding.
To cause two people to become married, especially by performing a wedding ceremony.
"The minister married the couple in the garden."
This sense is more literary or traditional and is less common than the sense of becoming married.
To be “marrying” is to stand at the beginning of one of life’s biggest shared decisions.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does marrying come from?
The word belongs to the English verb “marry,” which came through Old French from Latin. The underlying Latin verb “maritare” is related to the adjective “maritus,” meaning “of or pertaining to a husband,” though the deeper history of that Latin word is uncertain. English later developed the noun “marriage” and the adjective “marital” from the same broad Latin marital vocabulary.
Related word forms
How marrying is actually used
In modern English, “marry” is normally used in the forms “married” and “marries”; the present participle “marrying” is common in progressive constructions such as “they are marrying.”
Easily confused with marrying
Marrying refers to becoming married, while merrying refers to exchanging gifts, especially Christmas gifts.