honeymoon

[ huhn-ee-moon ]

noun
  1. a vacation or trip taken by a newly married couple (often used attributively): After you've said "I do," why not escape to a dream honeymoon in Greece? Relax and kindle the flame of passion in one of our honeymoon suites.

  2. a period of harmony at the beginning of a marriage: After the initial honeymoon, there may be a temptation to let routine take over.

  1. any period of blissful harmony: Their entire 60 years of marriage was one long honeymoon.

  2. any new relationship characterized by an initial period of harmony and goodwill: The honeymoon between Congress and the new president was over.

verb (used without object)
  1. to spend one's honeymoon (usually followed by in or at): In a few months we’ll be honeymooning in New Zealand, and we can't wait!

Origin of honeymoon

1
First recorded in 1540–50; honey + moon

Other words from honeymoon

  • hon·ey·moon·er, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for honeymoon

honeymoon

/ (ˈhʌnɪˌmuːn) /


noun
    • a holiday taken by a newly married couple

    • (as modifier): a honeymoon cottage

  1. a holiday considered to resemble a honeymoon: a second honeymoon

  1. the early, usually calm period of a relationship, such as a political or business one

verb
  1. (intr) to take a honeymoon

Origin of honeymoon

1
C16: traditionally explained as an allusion to the feelings of married couples as changing with the phases of the moon

Derived forms of honeymoon

  • honeymooner, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012