George Boyle
Wed is a verb that means to get married or to join in marriage. It is derived from the Germanic root with words in various languages meaning pledge, but also bet or wager. The word is often used in a formal context, and its past tense is wedded, though wed is also commonly used as the past tense. Wed can also be used as an adjective to describe newly married people, like newlyweds. Aside from its usage in the context of marriage, wed can also mean to unite or closely associate two things, as in wed municipal waste management to large-scale and cost-ineffective waste disposal schemes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Meaning | To take (a person) as a husband or wife; marry |
| Used as | Verb, adjective |
| Synonyms | Marry, get married, be united, tie the knot |
| Past tense | Wedded |
| Usage | Formal context |
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What You'll Learn
The past tense of 'wed'
The past tense of "wed" is "wed" or "wedded". The verb "wed" is used in a formal context to describe the act of getting married or joining in marriage. For example, "Paul and Jennifer were wed yesterday at the church".
"Wed" is also used in the present tense, as well as in the past participle, which can be either "wed" or "wedded". For example, "His cousin was about to wed", or "His cousin has wed/wedded".
The word "wed" is also used as an adjective to describe people who have recently gotten married, such as "newlyweds".
Although "wed" and "wedded" are both used as the past tense of "wed", some sources suggest that "wedded" is more commonly used to describe a state of being devoted to something, such as a cause or hobby. For example, "His folks never wedded" or "His new writing job wedded his love of words and his eye for fashion".
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'Wed' as an adjective
The word "wed" can be used as a verb or a adjective. When used as an adjective, "wed" describes something that is joined or united, often in a way that is similar to marriage. Here are some examples that illustrate the usage of "wed" as an adjective:
- Firmly Wedded to an Idea or Principle: In the sentence "Since the New Deal, they have been firmly wedded to the administrative state and its progressive agencies and programs," the phrase "firmly wedded" indicates a strong commitment to a particular political ideology or set of policies. It suggests that they are closely tied to or united with those beliefs, much like a married couple.
- Wedded to a Particular Style or Preference: For instance, "The Princess of Wales has long been wedded to her court shoes, but this summer, she’s been shaking things up." Here, "wedded to" implies a loyal attachment or devotion to a particular style choice, indicating that the Princess of Wales has consistently favoured her court shoes over other footwear options.
- Wedded to a Political Party or Movement: Consider the sentence "Like Michael Bloomberg, Adams is not wedded to any political party or movement." Here, the phrase "not wedded to" suggests a lack of commitment or allegiance to a specific political affiliation. It conveys that Adams, like Bloomberg, is politically independent and not strongly tied to any single party or ideology.
- Wedded to a Particular Art Form or Genre: In the context of arts, "wedded to" can indicate a strong association or specialization in a particular artistic style or genre. For example, "In the past, South Park was not wedded to political satire." This implies that the show South Park has not typically focused on political satire as its primary genre.
- Wedded Bliss: This phrase, often used in the context of marriage, suggests a state of happiness and contentment within a married couple's relationship. It implies that their union has resulted in a blissful or harmonious state.
In summary, when used as an adjective, "wed" describes a state of being joined, united, or closely associated with something, often implying a strong commitment or devotion akin to the bonds of marriage.
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'Wed' vs 'wedded'
The words "wed" and "wedded" are often used interchangeably to refer to the act of getting married or joining in marriage. However, there are some nuances and differences in usage between the two words.
"Wed" is the verb form and is commonly used in a formal context to describe the act of getting married or joining in marriage. For example, "They will wed in the fall" or "The actress wed her fourth husband last year". While "wed" is typically used in a formal context, the word "marry" is more commonly used in everyday conversation.
On the other hand, "wedded" is often used as an adjective, as in "newlyweds". While it is grammatically correct to use "wedded" as the past tense of "wed" (e.g., "I wedded my husband 26 years ago"), this usage may sound clunky or outdated to modern ears. In fact, "wed" is often used in place of "wedded" in the past tense, and its usage has become increasingly widespread since the 1970s.
According to Garner's Modern English Usage, "wed" as the simple past tense is a variant labelled as "dialectal" in Webster's New International Dictionary of the English Language, second edition. Despite this, many news organizations and style guides, such as Webster's New World College Dictionary, continue to list only "wedded" as the proper past tense form.
In summary, while "wed" and "wedded" can be used interchangeably in some contexts, "wed" is typically used as the verb form in a formal context, while "wedded" is more commonly employed as an adjective or, less frequently, as the past tense of "wed".
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'Wed' in different contexts
The word "wed" is primarily used to refer to the act of getting married. When used in this context, it typically implies a formal ceremony, as in "to wed someone in a lavish ceremony". The word is also used to describe someone who has recently gotten married, as in the term "newlyweds".
In addition to referring to a marriage between two people, "wed" can also be used to describe the joining or uniting of two different and sometimes contrasting things. For example, in a novel, "wed" might be used to describe how the author combines elements of both tragedy and comedy. Similarly, in a film, "wed" could describe the fusion of horror and dark comedy. In these contexts, "wed" suggests a harmonious blending of two distinct elements.
"Wed" can also be used in a more figurative sense to describe a strong commitment or attachment to something. For instance, one might say that an individual is "wedded to their work", implying a deep devotion or dedication to their profession. In a similar vein, an organization might be described as "wedded to a traditional understanding of social class", indicating a rigid adherence to traditional social hierarchies.
The word "wed" is quite versatile and can be applied in various contexts beyond just marriage. Whether it's describing the unification of contrasting elements in a creative work or conveying a sense of dedication and commitment to a cause or belief, "wed" adds a layer of depth and nuance to our expressions.
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Synonyms of 'wed'
The verb "wed" is used in a formal context to mean "to marry" or "to perform a marriage ceremony". It shares a Germanic root with words in various languages that mean "pledge", but also "bet or wager". Here are some synonyms of "wed" as a verb:
- Conjoin
- Espouse
- Get hitched with
- Get married
- Hook up with
- Marry
- Splice
- Tie
- Mate
- Perform the ceremony of marriage
- Join in marriage
- Wedded
- Combine
- Merge
- Fuse
- Contract marriage
- Become united
- Blend
Some examples of "wed" in a sentence include:
- "We were wed the following week"
- "The king wished to wed his favourite daughter to the bravest knight in the realm"
- "The priest usually weds six to eight couples a month"
- "She wedded herself to the cause of economic justice"
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