dowry

noun

dow·​ry ˈdau̇(-ə)-rē How to pronounce dowry (audio)
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
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.
After the dowry is shown off, Henry informs the brothers that the Grants’ physician — and not the MacKenzie’s — will perform the exam. Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 19 Sep. 2025 That world is where Downton's Cora Crawley (Elizabeth McGovern) comes from, once a young American heiress who married into the British aristocracy to help preserve the Downton estate with her dowry. Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Sep. 2025 The wealthiest filles were also given dowries of roughly fifty livres (about the equivalent of roughly $750 USD today) to entice them and to reassure their suitors of their suitability. Ann Foster, JSTOR Daily, 9 July 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for dowry

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

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dowry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dowry. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

dowry

noun
dow·​ry ˈdau̇(ə)r-ē How to pronounce dowry (audio)
plural dowries
: the property that a woman brings to her husband in marriage in some cultures

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