Widow
ˈwɪdəʊ
Definitions
2 meaningsA woman whose husband or wife has died and who has not married again.
ˈwɪdəʊ
A woman whose spouse has died and who has not remarried.
After her husband's death, she lived as a widow for many years.
💡 Simply: Imagine your partner sadly goes away forever. A widow is a woman whose partner has died, like if your mom's partner passed away. She's sad, and the window on her future has changed.
👶 For kids: A widow is a grown-up woman whose husband has died.
More Examples
The community rallied to support the widow and her children.
She inherited a large fortune when she became a widow.
How It's Used
"She became a widow at a young age."
"The charity provides support for widows and their children."
To deprive of a husband or wife by death.
ˈwɪdəʊ
To cause someone to become a widow.
The accident widowed the young mother.
💡 Simply: To 'widow' someone is like making a woman become a widow—because her husband has passed away.
👶 For kids: To widow means to make a wife or husband a widow or widower.
More Examples
War can widow countless families.
His death tragically widowed her.
How It's Used
"The war widowed many women."
Idioms & expressions
widow's mite
A very small contribution made by someone who can ill afford it, but given generously.
"She gave her widow's mite to the charity, though she barely had enough to live on."
widowmaker
A slang term for something that is very dangerous or likely to cause death, especially a device or occupation.
"The logging industry is often referred to as a 'widowmaker'."
From Old English *wuduwe*, from Proto-Germanic *widuwō*, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *widʰéwh₂ meaning 'bereaved' or 'separated'.
The word 'widow' has been used in English since Old English times, and it has maintained its core meaning throughout history. It is frequently found in literature and legal documents.
Memory tip
Think of a 'window' that's now 'widow' - life after the loss of a spouse.