dowager

American  

[dou-uh-jer] / ˈdaʊ ə dʒər /

noun

1. a woman who holds some title or property from her deceased husband, especially the widow of a king, duke, etc. (often used as an additional title to differentiate her from the wife of the present king, duke, etc.).

   a queen dowager; an empress dowager.

2. an elderly woman of stately dignity, especially one of elevated social position.

   a wealthy dowager.

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adjective

1. noting, pertaining to, or characteristic of a dowager.

   the dowager duchess; to prefer a dowager style of dress.

dowager British  

/ ˈdaʊədʒə /

noun

1. 1. a widow possessing property or a title obtained from her husband

   2. ( as modifier )

      the dowager duchess

2. a wealthy or dignified elderly woman

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Other Word Forms

• dowagerism noun

Etymology

Origin of dowager

1520–30; < Middle French douag ( i ) ere, equivalent to douage dower ( endow, -age ) + -iere, feminine of -ier -ier ²

Example Sentences

Playing an acid-tongue dowager or master teacher of witchcraft came naturally to her, but what thrilled her about acting was its transformative freedom.

From Los Angeles Times

Previous generations freely shared lilac slips with friends and neighbors, producing purple threads of sweetly scented dowager shrubs up and down the street.

From Seattle Times

There were pompous society dowagers with melting faces, young beauties with speckled dresses, unexpected sphinxes and nature spirits.

From New York Times

She accelerates those winds by outsmarting the dowager princess and planning a ball featuring Black and white members of society mixing, something previously unheard of until Charlotte's arrival.

From Salon

Widows of British kings are called “dowager queens,” or, if their children accede to the throne, “queen mother.”

From Washington Post

Related Words

• matron