widow
Widow (noun) means a woman whose husband or spouse has died and who has not remarried. Example: “She has lived alone since becoming a widow five years ago.”
How to use widow
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA woman (or, more broadly, anyone) whose spouse has died and who hasn't remarried.
"Widower" is the male equivalent — don't use "widow" for a man whose wife has died.
Word forms
widowed past tense, widows plural, widows singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She has lived alone since becoming a _____ five years ago.
Etymology
From Old English widuwe, from a very old Indo-European root meaning "to separate" — related to the word wide.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “widow” mean?
The word “widow” means a woman whose husband or spouse has died and who has not remarried. In plain terms, a woman (or, more broadly, anyone) whose spouse has died and who hasn't remarried.
How do you pronounce “widow”?
“Widow” is pronounced WIHD-oh (/ˈwɪd.oʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “widow” in a sentence?
Here is “widow” used in a sentence: “She has lived alone since becoming a widow five years ago.”
What is another word for “widow”?
Words with a similar meaning to “widow” include widowess and widower.
What part of speech is “widow”?
Depending on how it is used, “widow” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “widow” come from?
The word “widow” comes from Old English. From Old English widuwe, from a very old Indo-European root meaning "to separate" — related to the word wide.
Is “widow” a common word?
“Widow” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “widow” have?
“Widow” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a woman whose husband or spouse has died and who has not remarried.
What is the difference between a widow and a widower?
A widow is a woman whose husband or spouse has died and who has not remarried; a widower is a man in the same situation. "Widowed" covers both, as in "she was widowed young."
Is a woman still a widow if she remarries?
By the standard definition, no — a widow is a woman whose spouse has died and who has not remarried. The word specifically describes her status between the spouse's death and any remarriage.
What is a "golf widow"?
A golf widow is a person whose spouse or partner is frequently away playing golf, leaving them alone much of the time. The pattern extends to other pastimes — "football widow", "fishing widow" — and is humorous rather than literal.
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