dowry

[ dou-ree ]

noun

, plural dow·ries.

1. Also the money, goods, or estate that a wife brings to her husband at marriage.
2. Archaic. a widow's dower.
3. a natural gift, endowment, talent, etc.

dowry

/ ˈdaʊərɪ /

noun

1. the money or property brought by a woman to her husband at marriage
2. (esp formerly) a gift made by a man to his bride or her parents
3. Christianity a sum of money required on entering certain orders of nuns
4. a natural talent or gift
5. obsolete.
   a widow's dower

dowry

1. Money, property, or material goods that a bride's family gives to the bridegroom or his family at the time of the wedding. In many cultures , the dowry not only helps to cement the relationship between the bride's and groom's families but also serves to reinforce traditional family roles and gender roles .

Word History and Origins

Origin of dowry¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English dowerie, from Anglo-French douarie, from Medieval Latin dōtārium. See dot ², -ary

Word History and Origins

Origin of dowry¹

C14: from Anglo-French douarie, from Medieval Latin dōtārium; see dower

Example Sentences

The man paid a dowry of about $850, and after the agent and the officiant took their cuts, she was left with about half that.

From Los Angeles Times

Budi, 55, sometimes receives 10% of the dowry for driving and interpreting.

From Los Angeles Times

With her encouragement, her sister also became a contract bride, bringing in a dowry of $3,000 for her first marriage because she was a virgin.

From Los Angeles Times

His offer — a $2,000 dowry, of which she could keep $1,300, plus about $500 a month — was too good to pass up.

From Los Angeles Times

Once we give dowry for our girls, we will starve to death.

From BBC

Related Words

• ancestry
• culture
• custom
• legacy
• right
• tradition