widow
A widow is a woman whose husband has passed away and who has not married again.
Explanation at your level:
A widow is a woman. Her husband died. She is not married now. This is a sad word. We use it to talk about family.
When a woman's husband dies, she becomes a widow. She is a widow until she gets married again. It is a common word in English.
The word widow describes a woman whose spouse has passed away. It is a formal way to describe her marital status. You might see this word in books or news stories about families.
Using the word widow requires a level of social awareness. It is the standard term for a woman who has lost her husband. While accurate, it carries emotional weight, so it is best used in serious or descriptive contexts rather than casual gossip.
In advanced English, widow is a precise noun that defines a specific social and legal status. It is often used in literary analysis or sociological discussions. Note the nuance: it specifically refers to the death of a spouse, distinguishing it from divorce or separation.
The term widow carries deep etymological significance, rooted in the concept of 'emptiness' or 'void' following the loss of a partner. In literature and historical texts, the 'widow' figure often represents themes of resilience, mourning, or social vulnerability. Mastery of this word involves understanding its formal usage in legal contexts, such as 'widow's pension,' and its figurative applications in idioms like 'widow-maker.'
Mot en 30 secondes
- A widow is a woman whose husband has died.
- It is a noun, not an adjective.
- The male equivalent is a widower.
- Always use the word with sensitivity.
When we talk about a widow, we are referring to a woman whose husband has died. It is a very specific word that describes someone's marital status after a significant life change.
Think of it as a label for a period of life following the loss of a partner. It is important to remember that this word is specifically for women; the male equivalent is called a widower.
Using this word requires a bit of sensitivity because it is tied to grief and life transitions. While it is a standard dictionary term, it carries emotional weight, so always use it with kindness when speaking about someone's personal life.
The word widow has a fascinating history that stretches back thousands of years. It comes from the Old English word widewe, which shares roots with the Proto-Indo-European word *widhewā, meaning 'empty' or 'void'.
It is incredible to see how this word has stayed consistent across many languages. You can find similar versions in Sanskrit, Latin, and Old Church Slavonic, all pointing to the idea of a person left 'empty' or 'separated' by death.
Historically, the word was used to denote a woman who had lost her social and economic protector. Over centuries, the word has evolved from a purely legal or status-based term into the common noun we use today to describe a personal life situation.
In daily conversation, you will often hear phrases like 'she was left a widow' or 'a young widow.' It is a neutral term, but context is everything.
You might see it used in formal documents, news reports, or literature. It is not slang or casual, so avoid using it in lighthearted or joking ways. It is a serious word that commands respect.
Commonly, it is paired with adjectives that describe age or circumstances, such as 'grieving widow' or 'wealthy widow.' Using it correctly helps you communicate clearly about family structures and personal history.
There are several expressions involving this word, though some are quite specific. 1. Grass widow: A woman whose husband is away for a long time. 2. Widow's peak: A V-shaped point in the hairline. 3. Widow's mite: A small contribution from someone who has little. 4. Golf widow: A woman whose husband spends all his time playing golf. 5. Widow-maker: A term sometimes used for dangerous trees or heart attacks.
The word widow is a regular count noun. To make it plural, you simply add an 's' to get widows. It is almost always used with the indefinite article 'a' or the definite article 'the'.
Pronunciation is straightforward: /ˈwɪd.oʊ/ in American English and /ˈwɪd.əʊ/ in British English. The stress is on the first syllable. It rhymes with words like meadow, shadow, and hollow.
Remember that 'widow' is a noun. If you want to describe the state of being a widow, you use the noun widowhood. It is a simple word to spell, but keep an eye on that 'w' at the beginning!
Fun Fact
The word has roots in almost every Indo-European language.
Pronunciation Guide
Short 'i' sound, followed by a soft 'd' and 'oh' sound.
Similar to UK, but the 'o' sound is slightly more rounded.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing the 'w' as a 'v'
- Adding an extra syllable
- Misplacing the stress
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Simple to use
Easy to say
Easy to hear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Avanc
Grammar to Know
Noun usage
She is a widow.
Gendered nouns
Widow vs Widower.
Articles
A widow.
Examples by Level
She is a widow.
She = woman, widow = no husband
Subject + verb + noun
The widow lives here.
lives = stays
Article + noun + verb
My aunt is a widow.
aunt = father/mother's sister
Possessive + noun
She became a widow.
became = changed state
Linking verb
The widow is kind.
kind = nice
Adjective usage
Is she a widow?
Question form
Inversion
The widow has a cat.
has = owns
Simple present
She is a happy widow.
happy = glad
Adjective placement
The widow moved to a new city.
She has been a widow for ten years.
The local widow helps at the school.
Many widows live in this quiet village.
She is a brave widow.
The widow wrote a book about her life.
I met a widow at the library.
The widow enjoys gardening.
The widow inherited the house from her husband.
She found support in a group for widows.
The law provides benefits for a widow.
Being a widow is a difficult transition.
The widow decided to travel the world.
She is a widow with three children.
The community supports the local widow.
She became a widow at a very young age.
The widow was left to manage the estate alone.
She navigated the challenges of widowhood with grace.
The novel depicts the life of a young widow.
He was sympathetic to the widow's situation.
The widow received a pension from the government.
She is a widow who advocates for others.
The widow's peak is a unique facial feature.
She chose to remain a widow for the rest of her life.
The sociological study focused on the experiences of the elderly widow.
She was a widow of great standing in the community.
The term 'widow-maker' is often used by loggers to describe dangerous branches.
Her status as a widow granted her certain legal protections.
The widow's mite was all she had to give.
She lived as a widow in the ancestral home.
The play explores the grief of a war widow.
She was a widow in every sense of the word.
The historical record identifies her as the widow of the late Duke.
The concept of the 'merry widow' is a common trope in classic opera.
She existed in a state of perpetual widowhood.
The widow's weeds were a sign of mourning in the Victorian era.
He was a grass widow while his wife worked abroad.
The widow's portion of the inheritance was contested.
She was a widow of the revolution.
The widow's legacy was her dedication to the arts.
Collocations courantes
Idioms & Expressions
"Widow's peak"
A V-shaped point in the hairline.
She has a distinct widow's peak.
neutral"Grass widow"
A woman whose husband is away.
I'm a grass widow this week while he's on business.
informal"Widow-maker"
Something very dangerous.
That old tree is a real widow-maker.
informal"Widow's mite"
A small but sincere contribution.
She gave her widow's mite to the charity.
literary"Golf widow"
A woman whose husband plays golf constantly.
She is a typical golf widow on weekends.
informal"The Merry Widow"
A famous operetta or a joyful widow.
She acted like the Merry Widow at the party.
literaryEasily Confused
Similar spelling
Window is glass; widow is a person.
Look out the window, not at the widow.
Similar root
Widower is male; widow is female.
The widow lost her husband; the widower lost his wife.
Both marital statuses
Divorcee is separated; widow is bereaved.
She is a widow, not a divorcee.
Sounds like 'widow's weeds'
Weeds are plants; widow's weeds are black clothes.
She wore widow's weeds.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + is + a + widow
She is a widow.
Subject + became + a + widow
She became a widow.
The + widow + verb + object
The widow wrote a book.
Subject + is + a + [adjective] + widow
She is a young widow.
Subject + [verb] + as + a + widow
She lived as a widow.
Famille de mots
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Apparenté
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
Erreurs courantes
Widow is for women; widower is for men.
Widow is a noun. Use 'widowed' to describe a status.
Widow implies the death of a spouse.
The correct English spelling ends in 'w'.
Window is for looking through; widow is a person.
Tips
Memory Palace
Imagine a widow in a garden.
Native Usage
Used in formal introductions.
Cultural Insight
Historically significant.
Grammar Shortcut
It is a noun.
Say It Right
Rhymes with meadow.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't call a man a widow.
Did You Know?
It means empty.
Study Smart
Use it in sentences.
Word Family
Learn widower too.
Formal Writing
Use in reports.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
W-I-D-O-W: 'Without Individual, Dear One Withdrawn'.
Visual Association
A woman wearing a black veil.
Word Web
Défi
Write a sentence using 'widow' and 'widower'.
Origine du mot
Old English
Original meaning: Empty or void
Contexte culturel
Always use with empathy; it relates to personal loss.
It is a standard term used in legal and social contexts.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Legal/Financial
- widow's pension
- legal status
- inheritance
Literature
- grieving widow
- widow's weeds
- lonely widow
Social Support
- support group
- counseling
- community help
Daily Life
- my neighbor is a widow
- she is a widow
Conversation Starters
"Have you read any books about a widow?"
"How does the word widow differ from divorcee?"
"Why do we have different words for men and women?"
"What is a widow's peak?"
"How would you describe the life of a widow?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a character who is a widow.
Describe the history of the word widow.
Why is it important to use terms like widow carefully?
Reflect on the meaning of 'widow's mite'.
Questions fréquentes
8 questionsNo, it is a standard noun.
No, they are widowers.
Widows.
Yes, frequently.
No, it means the spouse died.
Rarely, but it can be used as one.
WID-oh.
A hair pattern.
Teste-toi
The ___ is sad.
Widow is a person.
What is a widow?
Correct definition.
A man whose wife died is a widow.
He is a widower.
Word
Signification
Gender distinction.
Subject-verb-object.
She lived in a state of ___.
Noun for the state of being.
What is a 'widow's mite'?
Idiomatic meaning.
You can be a widow if you are married.
Widow means not remarried.
Word
Signification
Idiomatic usage.
Correct sentence structure.
Score : /10
Summary
A widow is a woman whose husband has passed away and who has not remarried.
- A widow is a woman whose husband has died.
- It is a noun, not an adjective.
- The male equivalent is a widower.
- Always use the word with sensitivity.
Memory Palace
Imagine a widow in a garden.
Native Usage
Used in formal introductions.
Cultural Insight
Historically significant.
Grammar Shortcut
It is a noun.
