MEANING
The condition or period of being a woman whose spouse has died.
Use it for
Changed domestic roles, social expectations after a spouse's death, inherited authority.Show how a death changes status and daily life as well as emotion.
Words that belong together
- early widowhood
- years of widowhood
- enter widowhood
On the page
Widowhood gave her control of the estate for the first time.
She wore bright colors throughout her widowhood, despite the neighbors' objections.
His letters followed her from marriage into widowhood.
Nearby words
Related words
Word forms
- Base
- widowhood
Usage notes
Primary category: gothic. Not necessarily lifelong and not proof of poverty, isolation, or continuing grief. Usually uncountable; no ordinary plural needed.
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