To “elope” means to run away secretly with someone in order to get married, traditionally without parental approval. In everyday modern use, though, the word has softened: many people now say they “eloped” simply because they chose a small, private, or spontaneous wedding instead of a large public ceremony. Both senses are widely accepted today.
What does elope mean?
The classic dictionary definition, given by Merriam-Webster, is to run away secretly with the intention of getting married, usually without the consent of one’s parents. The image is of a couple slipping away to marry against family wishes. A related, older sense of the word simply means to escape or slip away, and an even earlier legal sense referred to running away from a spouse. The marriage meaning is the one most people know now.
How has the meaning changed?
Merriam-Webster notes that the sense of “elope” has shifted over time. Modern couples often use it without any element of secrecy or rebellion. For many, to elope now means to marry with few or no guests, sometimes on short notice or in a special location, and to skip the cost and scale of a traditional wedding. In this sense, eloping is a style of wedding rather than an act of defiance.
Where does the word come from?
Etymology references trace “elope” to Anglo-French “aloper,” meaning to abduct or run away, and note it may be related to the idea of leaping away. The word has been in English since at least the late 16th century. Its earliest recorded senses centered on escaping or fleeing, and the specific romantic meaning of running off to marry developed from that broader idea of secretly getting away.
How is elope used in a sentence?
The word is a verb and usually appears with “to” or in past tense. Examples include:
- “The young couple decided to elope rather than plan a huge wedding.”
- “They eloped to a quiet mountain town and married with two witnesses.”
- “Her grandparents eloped in the 1950s because their families disapproved.”
- “We’re thinking about eloping to save money and keep things simple.”
Is eloping the same as a runaway marriage?
Historically, yes, elopement and a secret runaway marriage were essentially the same thing. Today the two ideas have partly separated. A couple can elope openly and legally, informing family afterward or even inviting a few loved ones. What unites the old and new meanings is the sense of a wedding that is intimate, unconventional, and on the couple’s own terms. An elopement is still a fully legal marriage as long as the couple completes the required license and ceremony steps for their location.
In short, elope began as a word for secretly running off to marry and still carries that romantic, slightly rebellious flavor, but it has grown into a common term for any small, private wedding chosen over a big traditional one.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does elope mean?
It means to run away secretly to get married, though today it often just means a small, private wedding.
Does eloping still mean running away?
Not necessarily. Many modern couples "elope" openly, choosing an intimate ceremony over a large one.
Where does the word elope come from?
From Anglo-French "aloper," meaning to abduct or run away; it entered English in the late 16th century.
Is eloping legal?
Yes. An elopement is still a legal marriage as long as the couple meets local licensing and ceremony requirements.