Cool MateWidow
UK /["/ˈwɪdəʊ/"]/US /["/ˈwɪdəʊ/"]/
Definition
a woman whose husband or wife has died and who has not married again
In simple words: A woman whose husband has died.
Examples
- She gets a widow’s pension.
Usage notes
Use 'widow' in neutral contexts when discussing a woman's marital status after her husband has passed away. Avoid using it in a humorous or light-hearted way, as it can be sensitive.
Grammar pattern
standalone noun
Memory hint
Think of ‘widow’ as a 'widow's walk' on a house, where she waits for her husband who has gone.
Collocations
- grieving
- elderly
- middle-aged
- become
- leave
- marry
- a widow’s pension
Synonyms
- spouse
- bereaved woman
- surviving wife
Antonyms
- widower
- husband
- spouse
Common mistakes
- Confused with 'widower' which refers to a man whose wife has died.
- Using it to describe someone who is divorced, which is incorrect.