crone

American  

[krohn] / kroʊn /

noun

1. an old woman, especially one perceived as frightening or ill-tempered.

   A wrinkly, ragged old crone was sitting in the corner by the woodstove, wrapped in a shawl.

   Don’t be intimidated by that crotchety old crone.

2. a witch.

   They figured the pear tree wasn’t bearing because the village crone had cursed it with the evil eye.

3. Crone, (in Neopaganism) the third form of the Goddess, represented as an old woman and said to symbolize maturity, wisdom, and the final stages of life or growth.

4. a woman past the age of menopause, regarded as a person of maturity and wisdom (also used attributively).

   Our first speaker is a crone, herbalist, and therapist who specializes in counseling women.

   The course looks at grandmothers represented in literature as repositories of crone wisdom, from early to modern times.

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crone British  

/ krəʊn /

noun

1. a witchlike old woman

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Other Word Forms

• cronish
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of crone

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle Dutch croonie “old ewe,” from Old North French caronie carrion

Explanation

The haggard old woman who lives down the street in a ramshackle house, shaking her fist while chasing children out of her yard? You might call her a crone, if you’re brave. (But be careful: the term is insulting.) Since the late 14th century the word crone has been a term of abuse describing old and bad-tempered women. It traces back to the Anglo-French word charoine, meaning "dead flesh." Since the 20th century though, the word has been used in a positive way by feminists. They celebrate the wisdom and power of older women and the unique ways they contribute to society as a whole.

Example Sentences

“Survive the night or become a part of it,” a crone whispers to Clover during her second loop, and therein lies the key to their survival.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 26, 2025

Of course, she already knew much about oppression from Miss Asthma, a crone quick to mete out punishments like “one long supperless week” when Annie sticks up for herself.

From Slate • Aug. 17, 2024

During her recent appearance on "Salon Talks," Light discussed the allure of her new "terrifying and funny" film, enjoying her "crone years" and what her own dream dinner would be.

From Salon • Nov. 23, 2022

In the comics, Agatha Harkness is often depicted as a classic old crone type of witch.

From New York Times • Mar. 7, 2021

The crone in the rocking chair pulled herself to her feet.

From "Stardust" by Neil Gaiman