widow’s weeds

[ wid-ohz weedz ]

plural noun

1. mourning clothes worn by a woman after the death of her spouse:

   She was still in widow’s weeds, but starting to attend more social engagements.

Word History and Origins

Origin of widow’s weeds¹

First recorded in 1570–80

Example Sentences

Trina wears her wampum beads She fills her drawing book with line Sewing lace on widow’s weeds And filigree on leaf and vine.

From New York Times

A big, poofy white tutu is the antithesis of widow’s weeds.

From New York Times

What earrings matched a pirate widow’s weeds?

From Seattle Times

Heather McClintock-Racz stood on the slopes wearing 19th century widow’s weeds and a broad hat.

From Washington Post

In the Victorian era, people in mourning wore a black armband or dressed in black clothing known as “widow’s weeds,” so that others would know that they required tender respect.

From New York Times