What does nubile mean?
Nubile is an adjective meaning marriageable, most often used of a young woman who is considered old enough or eligible to marry. In modern English, it is primarily literary or dated, and its use can suggest a limited view of women as suitable subjects for marriage. Older usage also connected the word with sexual attractiveness or desirability. The term derives from Latin nubilis, “marriageable,” related to the language of weddings and marriage. Although nubile still appears in literature, formal writing, and discussions of historical social customs, more neutral contemporary expressions such as “of marriageable age,” “eligible to marry,” or simply “old enough to marry” are generally preferred when describing a person’s marital status.
adjectiveMarriageable, especially of a young woman. The word is now largely formal, literary, or dated.
- Marriageable, especially of a young woman.
- In older or literary usage, sexually attractive or considered suitable for marriage.
"The story follows a young woman who becomes nubile in a society that attaches great importance to marriage."
"Her parents were searching for a suitable husband for their nubile daughter."
"In the novel, the protagonist is nubile but determined not to marry."
Nubile comes from the Latin for “marriageable,” a word whose old-fashioned usage can make a simple description sound like a period drama.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does nubile come from?
Nubile comes from Latin nubilis, meaning “marriageable,” which was formed from the verb nuber, “to marry.” The English word entered use in the early 17th century in a formal and literary context. Its Latin relatives include nubility, an archaic noun meaning the state or condition of being marriageable, and nuptial, which belongs to the wider family of Latin marriage vocabulary.
Related word forms
How nubile is actually used
Chiefly literary, formal, and dated today. It may sound objectifying or archaic, especially when used to describe a woman’s suitability for marriage.