bride-to-be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bride-to-be" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to a woman who is engaged to be married and is in the period leading up to her wedding. Example: "The bridal shower was a wonderful celebration for the bride-to-be, surrounded by her closest friends and family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"They're this holy figure, but your bride-to-be is a human being".

The New York Times

His bride-to-be swigged.

The New York Times

Gualtieri introduces the girl as his bride-to-be.

The New Yorker

A young bride-to-be met her aunt for luncheon.

The New Yorker

cambridgesatchel.com Freya Rose: Are you a bride-to-be?

Independent

The bride-to-be squinted into the mirror.

The New York Times

Meet Clarissa Alpert, the book's bride-to-be.

The New York Times - Arts

After further discussion, they hit on "bride-to-be".

The New Yorker

(She's a feisty protofeminist and a submissive bride-to-be).

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

The bride to be is HIV positive.

The Guardian - Books

There's still plenty of time for this Bride to be jilted at the altar, though.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bride-to-be" to clearly and concisely refer to a woman who is engaged and planning her wedding.

Common error

Ensure you use hyphens correctly in "bride-to-be". It should be hyphenated as it acts as a compound adjective before a noun or stands alone as a noun.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bride-to-be" functions as a noun, typically used to identify a woman who is engaged and preparing for her wedding. As seen in Ludwig, it commonly appears in descriptive contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Wiki

6%

The Guardian - Books

1%

Less common in

The Guardian - Arts

1%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bride-to-be" is a commonly used and grammatically correct term for a woman engaged to be married. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. When writing, remember to hyphenate the phrase correctly. For alternative phrasing, consider "fiancée" or "future bride". Overall, "bride-to-be" is a clear and concise way to refer to a woman during her engagement period.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Fiancée

A more formal and direct synonym.

Future wife

Focuses more on the marital status that will be.

Prospective bride

Highlights the potential and anticipation of the upcoming wedding.

Soon-to-be-married woman

More descriptive and emphasizes the imminence of the marriage.

Engaged woman

Focuses on the state of being engaged, rather than the upcoming wedding.

Intended bride

Highlights the intention to marry.

Betrothed woman

An archaic and formal term for an engaged woman.

Woman who is getting married

A descriptive phrase emphasizing the act of getting married.

Wedding-bound woman

Emphasizes the journey towards the wedding.

Future spouse

A gender-neutral term that could be used, although less specific.

FAQs

What does "bride-to-be" mean?

The term "bride-to-be" refers to a woman who is engaged to be married and is in the period of time leading up to her wedding.

What can I say instead of "bride-to-be"?

You can use alternatives like "fiancée", "engaged woman", or "future wife" depending on the context.

How do I use "bride-to-be" in a sentence?

You can use "bride-to-be" in a sentence like this: "The bridal shower was a surprise for the bride-to-be."

Is it correct to say "future bride" instead of "bride-to-be"?

Yes, "future bride" is a valid alternative, although "bride-to-be" is more common and specifically denotes the engagement period.