dowry

noun

dow·​ry ˈdau̇(-ə)-rē 

plural dowries

1

law : the money, goods, or estate that a woman brings to her husband in marriage

cultures in which marriage rarely occurs without dowry or bride-price

2

: a natural talent or gift

Beauty should be the dowry of every man and woman, as invariably as sensation; but it is rare.

—Ralph Waldo Emerson

3

archaic, law : dower sense 1

Examples of dowry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The impoverished duke needs Gladys' dowry to prop up his family's estate, and Bertha may have promised him a bit too much without informing George or taking Gladys' wishes into account. —Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 23 June 2025

The value of a girl was measured by her dowry, not a diploma. —Esther Ndumi Ngumbi, NPR, 15 June 2025

He’s long still held a candle, imagining a future for the two of them, while feeling inadequate about his financial status and lack of a proverbial dowry, little to offer but his deep feelings. —Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 13 June 2025

Textiles are made for dowries, burials, and beliefs. —Natalie Stoclet, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English dowarie, from Anglo-French, alteration of dower, douaire — more at dower

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Rhymes for dowry

• cowrie
• floury
• lourie
• maori

Kids Definition

dowry

noun

dow·​ry ˈdau̇(ə)r-ē 

plural dowries

: the property that a woman brings to her husband in marriage in some cultures