Elopement
/ɪˈloʊpmənt/noun
The act of running away secretly, especially to get married without approval.
Did you know?Elopement was originally tied to the idea of fleeing on horseback or on foot, and only later became linked to secret marriage — a reminder that words can shift from escape to romance.
Etymological Timeline
Middle English
English
elope
“to run away, flee”
17th Century
English
elope
“to run away secretly, especially in order to marry”
17th Century
English
elopement
“the act of running away”
Modern English
English
elopement
“the act of running away secretly, especially to marry”