spinster

noun

spin·​ster ˈspin(t)-stər How to pronounce spinster (audio)
Synonyms of spinsternext
1
: a woman whose occupation is to spin
2
a
archaic : an unmarried woman of a family of high social station
b
: an unmarried woman and especially one past the common age for marrying
3
: a woman who seems unlikely to marry
spinsterhood
ˈspin(t)-stər-ˌhu̇d How to pronounce spinster (audio)
noun
spinsterish
ˈspin(t)-st(ə-)rish How to pronounce spinster (audio)
adjective
spinsterly adjective

Examples of spinster in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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 medieval-period romance showcases British star Olivia Colman as a spinster fishmonger who commissions a wicker husband (Alexander Skarsgard). — Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 23 Oct. 2026 In Wicker, Skarsgård slipped into a much more textured material to play the Wicker Husband of a reclusive spinster Fisherwoman (Olivia Colman), who commissioned a Basketmaker (Peter Dinklage) to weave together her fantasy man. — Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Oct. 2026 In the show, Bertha (Linda Reiter) is an old spinster and a neighbor of the Borden family in Fall River. — Caroline Blair, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2026 At age 37, Abby was considered a spinster, and her social class was well below that of her husband. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for spinster

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of spinster was in the 14th century

Rhymes for spinster

See All Rhymes for spinster

Browse Nearby Words

spin room
spinster
spinsterhood
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spinster.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spinster. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

spinster

noun
spin·​ster ˈspin(t)-stər How to pronounce spinster (audio)
1
: a woman whose occupation is to spin
2
: an unmarried woman past the usual age for marrying
spinsterhood
-ˌhu̇d How to pronounce spinster (audio)
noun
spinsterish
-st(ə-)rish How to pronounce spinster (audio)
adjective
spinsterly adverb

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