newlywed

/ˈnuːliˌwɛd/
recently married person

The newlyweds are on their honeymoon in Bali.

A recently married couple enjoying their trip after getting married.


neutral

a person who has recently been married

The newlyweds received many gifts from their friends.

The recently married couple got presents from their social circle.

A group of newlyweds gathered for a photo shoot.

Several people who had recently married posed together for pictures.

Often used in plural ('newlyweds') to refer to both partners in a recently married couple.

Collocations

newlywed couplea pair of people who have recently marriednewlywed blissthe happiness experienced by people who have just marriednewlywed phasethe early period after marriage

Antonyms

Related Phrases

honeymoon periodphrase
the initial period of happiness after marriage or starting something new

Pro Tip

Common Mistake Avoidance

Do not confuse 'newlywed' with 'newly married'—while similar, 'newlywed' specifically refers to the person(s) in the early stage of marriage, not the act itself.

Gold Rule

Plural Usage

Use 'newlyweds' (plural) when referring to both partners in a recently married couple, not 'newlywed' (singular) for the pair.

Word Origin

From 'new' + 'wed' (past participle of 'wed'). First recorded use in the early 19th century.

Usage Notes

Commonly used in social contexts to refer to couples in the early stages of marriage. Often implies a celebratory or supportive tone.

Word Breakdown

new
recently or freshly
prefix
+
wed
past participle of 'wed' (to marry)
root
English Dictionary