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noun

widower

WIH-doh

Widower (noun) means a man whose wife has died and who has not remarried. Example: “He became a widower after forty years of marriage.”

noun
1
A man whose wife has died and who has not remarried.
"He became a widower after forty years of marriage."
"The support group is aimed at widowers coping with loss."

How to use widower

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe male equivalent of "widow" — a man whose spouse has died.

Easily confused with

Word forms

widowers plural

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He became a _____ after forty years of marriage.

Etymology

From Middle English widwer, formed from widow plus the masculine suffix -er.

Origin: Middle English

widowman

Rhymes for widower

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Frequently asked questions

What does “widower” mean?

The word “widower” means a man whose wife has died and who has not remarried. In plain terms, the male equivalent of "widow" — a man whose spouse has died.

How do you pronounce “widower”?

“Widower” is pronounced WIH-doh (/ˈwɪdoʊɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “widower” in a sentence?

Here is “widower” used in a sentence: “He became a widower after forty years of marriage.”

What part of speech is “widower”?

“Widower” is a noun.

Where does the word “widower” come from?

The word “widower” comes from Middle English. From Middle English widwer, formed from widow plus the masculine suffix -er.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial