mangalsutra · noun — A traditional Hindu necklace tied around the bride's neck by the groom. It carries an Arena rating of 1382, earned across 5 head-to-head judged battles.
Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, mangalsutra ranks #863 of 17,163 for Most Beautiful Words, #1,199 of 17,166 for Most Vivid Words, #3,065 of 17,146 for Most Storied Words, #3,711 of 17,165 for Most Satisfying to Say.
Why “mangalsutra” is a great word
A traditional Hindu necklace, typically of black beads and a gold pendant, tied by the groom around the bride's neck during the wedding ceremony as a symbol of marital status and auspiciousness. Its name is forged from the Sanskrit maṅgala ("auspicious, prosperous") and sūtra ("thread, cord")—an auspicious thread. Unlike a "thali," which names the pendant alone, or a "wedding ring," a universal band of metal, the mangalsutra is the complete, culturally specific covenant. It is the quiet clatter of black beads against the collarbone, the cold, stamped gold of the locket resting over the heart, and the precise, double-knotted tie secured once in a lifetime—a fragile, beautiful tethering of one fate to another, worn as a daily, visible promise where a private vow meets the public world.
❧ Essay by Lexicurio’s AI · definition, etymology & citations from published sources
Etymology
Probably borrowed from Hindi मंगलसूत्र (maṅgalsūtra), ultimately from Sanskrit मंगलसूत्र (maṃgalasūtra, “auspicious thread”)
noun
- A traditional Hindu necklace tied around the bride's neck by the groom.e.g.“A simple mangalsutra was placed around my neck […] to symbolise I was a married woman.” — 2020, Avni Doshi, Burnt Sugar, Hamish Hamilton, page 16:
Definitions & examples from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).
Words closest in meaning
By meaning, not spelling — each word's AI semantic fingerprint, nearest first.
- thaali 73% match — In parts of South Asia, a necklace that is knotted around a bride's neck by the groom as an auspicious symbol. vs mangalsutra →
- varmala 69% match — A garland exchanged as part of a Hindu wedding. vs mangalsutra →
- bindi 58% match — The “holy dot” traditionally worn on the forehead of Hindu women. vs mangalsutra →
- bulak 56% match — An Indian nose ring usually worn by married women. vs mangalsutra →
- tahli 56% match — A gold ornament worn by the wives of Brahmins. vs mangalsutra →
- shabka 55% match — An engagement ring (traditionally with a golden net), symbolizing the intertwining or tying together of the couple. vs mangalsutra →
- ghoonghat 55% match — A headscarf worn by married Hindu, Jain and Sikh women. vs mangalsutra →
- choora 55% match — A set of bangles traditionally worn by a bride on her wedding day and for some time after, especially in Punjab. vs mangalsutra →