widow
word
/ˈwɪdoʊ/
WI-doh
/wˈɪdəʊ/
WI-doh
Definition
A widow is a woman whose husband has died and who has not married again. The word refers to her marital status after his death.
Usage & Nuances
A neutral, standard noun. Use 'widow of' to specify whose wife she was: 'the widow of a famous writer'. The male equivalent is 'widower'. In sensitive contexts, be aware that the word emphasizes loss and marital status.
Spanish: viudaPortuguese (BR): viúvaPortuguese (PT): viúvaChinese (Simplified): 寡妇Chinese (Traditional): 寡婦Hindi: विधवाArabic: أرملةBengali: বিধবাRussian: вдоваJapanese: 未亡人 - 寡婦Vietnamese: goá phụ - bà goáKorean: 과부Turkish: dulUrdu: بیوہIndonesian: janda
Example Sentences
Her grandmother became a widow at a young age.
basic
The widow lives alone in a small house.
basic
She was left a widow with two young children to raise.
natural
The article told the story of a war widow rebuilding her life.
natural
People in the town helped the widow after her husband died.
basic
After years on her own, the widow finally started dating again.
natural