widower

noun

wid·​ow·​er ˈwi-də-wər How to pronounce widower (audio)
: a man who has lost his spouse or partner by death and usually has not remarried

Examples of widower in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Interviews include Jacques Pépin, Danny Meyer, Lidia Bastianich, Hazan’s widower and writing partner Victor Hazan, and their son Giuliano Hazan. Jessica Radloff, Glamour, 30 June 2025 Suzanne Somers' widower has found love again — with one of his late wife's former costars. Raechal Shewfelt, EW.com, 26 June 2025 She was also positioned as a potential love interest for the widower. Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 20 June 2025 Survivors, widows and widowers, parents, friends, and faculty past and present told me their stories. Air Mail, 10 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for widower

Word History

Etymology

Middle English widewer, alteration of wedow widow, widower, from Old English wuduwa widower; akin to Old English wuduwe widow

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

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

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Cite this Entry

“Widower.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/widower. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

widower

noun
wid·​ow·​er ˈwid-ə-wər How to pronounce widower (audio)
: a man whose spouse has died

More from Merriam-Webster on widower

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