Engagement vs. Marriage — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Published on November 21, 2023
Engagement is the commitment to marry, symbolized often by a ring. Marriage is the formal union of two individuals, recognized legally and socially.
Difference Between Engagement and Marriage
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Engagement is essentially the promise or intention to marry someone in the future. It signifies a couple's decision to take their relationship to the next level, with a view towards permanency. Marriage, on the other hand, is the realization of that promise — a formal, legally binding union between two people.
When a couple gets engaged, they are making a public declaration of their intention to marry. This period allows for preparation for the wedding and the life thereafter. Marriage, conversely, starts after the wedding ceremony, solidifying the partnership and entitling the couple to all the legal rights and responsibilities that come with marital status.
Traditionally, engagement is marked by the exchange of rings, symbolizing commitment and the forthcoming wedding. During this period, couples often plan their wedding, perhaps attend pre-marital counseling, and make decisions about their future together. Marriage begins after vows are exchanged and typically involves a legal contract, entailing a deeper level of commitment, with societal and often religious recognition.
While engagement is a phase with its own set of joys, challenges, and expectations, it is essentially transitory, leading up to the wedding day. Marriage, in contrast, is a continuous journey that two people embark upon, navigating life's ups and downs as a united pair.
Engagements can be broken without legal ramifications, usually requiring only the return of the engagement ring. Marriages require legal dissolution through divorce or annulment if the couple chooses to part ways.
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Comparison Chart
Nature
Promise or commitment to marry
Legal and social union of two individuals
Symbol
Engagement ring
Wedding ring, marriage certificate
Duration
Temporary, leading up to the wedding
Intended to be lifelong
Legal Status
No legal status
Legal recognition, rights, and responsibilities
Termination
Can be broken with minimal consequences
Requires legal dissolution (divorce or annulment)
Compare with Definitions
Engagement
The period during which two people have promised to marry each other.
During their engagement, they traveled together extensively.
Marriage
The formal union of two people as partners in a personal relationship.
Their marriage was a beautiful ceremony at the beach.
Engagement
The time between proposal and marriage.
They decided on a short engagement and planned the wedding in three months.
Marriage
A legally recognized contract between two people.
They moved abroad after their marriage.
Engagement
A formal agreement to get married.
Their engagement was celebrated with close friends and family.
Marriage
The institution wherein individuals are joined in wedlock.
The couple believes in the sanctity of marriage.
Engagement
A public declaration of intention to marry.
She showed off her ring after announcing her engagement.
Marriage
A commitment between partners sanctioned by society or religion.
Their marriage is a testament to their enduring love.
Engagement
The act of committing to marry someone.
Their engagement was a surprise to many.
Marriage
A legal union between two persons that confers certain privileges and entails certain obligations of each person to the other, formerly restricted in the United States to a union between a woman and a man.
Engagement
The action of engaging or the state of being engaged
Engagement in diplomacy.
Marriage
A similar union of more than two people; a polygamous marriage.
Engagement
The condition of being in working position
Engagement of the transmission.
Marriage
A union between persons that is recognized by custom or religious tradition as a marriage.
Engagement
A mutual promise to get married.
Marriage
A common-law marriage.
Engagement
The period during which this promise is kept
A long engagement.
Marriage
The state or relationship of two adults who are married
Their marriage has been a happy one.
Engagement
A pledge or obligation
Meeting one's engagements.
Marriage
A wedding
Where is the marriage to take place?.
Engagement
A promise or agreement to be at a particular place at a particular time
A dinner engagement.
Marriage
A close union
"the most successful marriage of beauty and blood in mainstream comics" (Lloyd Rose).
Engagement
Employment, especially for a specified time
His engagement with the firm.
Marriage
(Games) The combination of the king and queen of the same suit, as in pinochle.
Engagement
A specific, often limited, period of employment
A speaking engagement.
Marriage
The state of being married.
You should enter marriage for love.
Engagement
A hostile encounter; a battle or skirmish.
Marriage
A union of two or more people that creates a family tie and carries legal, social, and/or religious rights and responsibilities.
Engagement
(countable) An appointment, especially to speak or perform.
The lecturer has three speaking engagements this week.
Prior engagement
A future engagement
Marriage
The union of only two people, to the exclusion of all others.
My grandparents' marriage lasted for forty years.
Pat and Leslie's marriage to each other lasted forty years.
Engagement
(uncountable) Connection or attachment.
Check the gears for full engagement before turning the handle.
Marriage
The union of two people of opposite sex, to the exclusion of all others.
Engagement
The feeling of being compelled, drawn in, connected to what is happening, interested in what will happen next.
Marriage
A wedding; a ceremony in which people wed.
You are cordially invited to the marriage of James Smith and Jane Doe.
Engagement
The period of time when marriage is planned or promised.
We are enjoying a long engagement, but haven't yet set a date.
Marriage
(figuratively) A close union.
Engagement
In any situation of conflict, an actual instance of active hostilities.
The engagement resulted in many casualties.
Marriage
A joining of two parts.
Engagement
The point at which the fencers are close enough to join blades, or to make an effective attack during an encounter.
After engagement it quickly became clear which of the fencers was going to prevail.
Marriage
(card games) A king and a queen, when held as a hand in some versions of poker or melded in pinochle.
Engagement
The act of engaging, pledging, enlisting, occupying, or entering into contest.
Marriage
(card games) In solitaire or patience games, the placing a card of the same suit on the next one above or below it in value.
Engagement
The state of being engaged, pledged or occupied; specif., a pledge to take some one as husband or wife.
Marriage
(prison slang) A homosexual relationship between male prisoners.
Engagement
That which engages; engrossing occupation; employment of the attention; obligation by pledge, promise, or contract; an enterprise embarked in; as, his engagements prevented his acceptance of any office.
Religion, which is the chief engagement of our league.
Marriage
The act of marrying, or the state of being married; legal union of a man and a woman for life, as husband and wife; wedlock; matrimony.
Marriage is honorable in all.
Engagement
An action; a fight; a battle.
In hot engagement with the Moors.
Marriage
The marriage vow or contract.
Engagement
The state of being in gear; as, one part of a clutch is brought into engagement with the other part.
Marriage
A feast made on the occasion of a marriage.
The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king which made a marriage for his son.
Engagement
A hostile meeting of opposing military forces in the course of a war;
Grant won a decisive victory in the battle of Chickamauga
He lost his romantic ideas about war when he got into a real engagement
Marriage
Any intimate or close union.
Engagement
A meeting arranged in advance;
She asked how to avoid kissing at the end of a date
Marriage
In pinochle, bézique, and similar games at cards, the combination of a king and queen of the same suit. If of the trump suit, it is called a royal marriage.
Engagement
A mutual promise to marry
Marriage
The state of being a married couple voluntarily joined for life (or until divorce);
A long and happy marriage
God bless this union
Engagement
The act of giving someone a job
Marriage
Two people who are married to each other;
His second marriage was happier than the first
A married couple without love
Engagement
Employment for performers or performing groups that lasts for a limited period of time;
The play had bookings throughout the summer
Marriage
The act of marrying; the nuptial ceremony;
Their marriage was conducted in the chapel
Engagement
Contact by fitting together;
The engagement of the clutch
The meshing of gears
Marriage
A close and intimate union;
The marriage of music and dance
A marriage of ideas
Engagement
The act of sharing in the activities of a group;
The teacher tried to increase his students' engagement in class activities
Marriage
The state of being united to a person in matrimony.
Their marriage has been a journey of love and understanding.
Common Curiosities
How long does an engagement usually last?
Engagement durations vary, but commonly range from a few months to a couple of years.
What is the main purpose of an engagement?
Engagement signifies a couple's commitment and intention to marry in the future.
Can an engagement be broken off?
Yes, engagements can be broken, usually without legal consequences.
What legal rights come with marriage?
Marriage grants various rights like property rights, tax benefits, spousal benefits, and more, which vary by jurisdiction.
Can marriages be annulled?
Yes, annulments can declare a marriage null and void, as if it never existed, based on specific legal or religious grounds.
Do all engagements lead to marriage?
No, not all engagements result in marriage; some are broken off before the wedding.
Is marriage legally binding?
Yes, marriage is a legally binding contract between two individuals.
What signifies the start of an engagement?
Often, a proposal and the presentation of an engagement ring mark the beginning of an engagement.
Is a marriage ceremony necessary for a legal marriage?
While ceremonial elements vary, most jurisdictions require an official and legal act, like signing a marriage license, for a valid marriage.
Is a marriage recognized worldwide?
Recognition varies. Most marriages are recognized in many countries, but there are exceptions due to differing laws and cultural practices.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
