Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
shotgun-wedding
noun
/ˈʃɒt.ɡʌn ˈwɛd.ɪŋ/
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Definition
A wedding that is hastily arranged, often because the bride is pregnant.
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Examples
- After they found out about the pregnancy, they decided on a shotgun wedding.
- The family was a bit shocked when they announced their shotgun wedding.
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Meaning
The term implies that the marriage is prompted by an unexpected pregnancy, pushing the couple to get married quickly.
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Synonyms
- forced marriage
- hasty marriage
- premarital wedding