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Definition of widowhood

widowhood

/ˈwɪd.oʊ.hʊd/
wid · ow · hood
Plural:widowhoods
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widowhood Lexical Profile

widowhood Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The state or period of being a widow or widower after the death of one's spouse.

Example

"During her long widowhood, she devoted her time to managing the family estate and supporting local charities."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Nearby Words

widowed
widower
widowerhood
widowhood
widowmaker
width
widthwise

Word Origin & Etymology

From Middle English 'wydowhood', equivalent to 'widow' + '-hood', replacing Old English 'wudewan-had'. The root 'widow' traces back to Old English 'widuwe', ultimately from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'to separate' or 'bereft'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Widowhood. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/widowhood
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