noun
dowager
DOW-uhd-zhuh
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."
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
Word Forms
dowagers plural
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The _____ duchess still lived in the family estate.
Etymology
From Middle French douagere, from douage ("dower"), ultimately from Latin dōs ("dowry").