noun
dowager
DOW-uhd-zhuh
Dowager (noun) means a widow who holds property, wealth, or a title inherited from her late husband. Example: “The dowager duchess still lived in the family estate.”
noun
1
A widow who holds property, wealth, or a title inherited from her late husband.
"The dowager duchess still lived in the family estate."
"A reclusive dowager owned the pastures across the river, and her farmhands ran beef cattle on them."
2
A dignified, often older woman of high social standing.
"She carried herself with the poise of a dowager."
How to use dowager
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA widow of high rank, or more loosely, any stately older woman.
When to use it
Formal and somewhat old-fashioned — mostly seen in historical or aristocratic contexts.
Common pairings
dowager duchess
dowager empress
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Word forms
- Plural
- dowagers
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ duchess still lived in the family estate.
Etymology
From Middle French douagere, from douage ("dower"), ultimately from Latin dōs ("dowry").
Rhymes for dowager
See all rhymes for dowager →Frequently asked questions
What does “dowager” mean?
The word “dowager” means a widow who holds property, wealth, or a title inherited from her late husband. In plain terms, a widow of high rank, or more loosely, any stately older woman.
How do you pronounce “dowager”?
“Dowager” is pronounced DOW-uhd-zhuh (/ˈdaʊəd͡ʒɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “dowager” in a sentence?
Here is “dowager” used in a sentence: “The dowager duchess still lived in the family estate.”
What part of speech is “dowager”?
“Dowager” is a noun.
Where does the word “dowager” come from?
The word “dowager” comes from Latin. From Middle French douagere, from douage ("dower"), ultimately from Latin dōs ("dowry").
How many meanings does “dowager” have?
“Dowager” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a widow who holds property, wealth, or a title inherited from her late husband.
