dowager

noun

dow·​a·​ger ˈdau̇-i-jər How to pronounce dowager (audio)
Synonyms of dowagernext
1
: a widow holding property or a title from her deceased husband
2
: a dignified elderly woman

Synonyms of dowager

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Examples of dowager in a Sentence

The estate is owned by a wealthy dowager. the town's dowagers frequently shake their heads over the younger generation
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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The dowager will absolutely be making sure that Nan stays in line and doesn't harm the institution. — Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 13 Dec. 2023 Thrones pushed the Emmy drama race out of its era of dowager countesses and troubled men and into one where robots and demogorgons could at least have a shot. — Esther Zuckerman, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 June 2023 Playing an acid-tongue dowager or master teacher of witchcraft came naturally to her, but what thrilled her about acting was its transformative freedom. — Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2024 There were pompous society dowagers with melting faces, young beauties with speckled dresses, unexpected sphinxes and nature spirits. — Will Heinrich, New York Times, 6 Feb. 2024 See All Example Sentences for dowager

Word History

Etymology

Middle French douagiere, from douage dower, from douer to endow — more at endow

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dowager was in 1530

Phrases Containing dowager

Browse Nearby Words

dowable
dowager
dowager's hump
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Cite this Entry

“Dowager.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dowager. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

dowager

noun
dow·​a·​ger ˈdau̇-i-jər How to pronounce dowager (audio)
: a dignified elderly woman

More from Merriam-Webster on dowager

Nglish: Translation of dowager for Spanish Speakers

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