dowager

[ dou-uh-jer ]

/ ˈdaʊ ə dʒər /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for dowager on Thesaurus.com

noun

a woman who holds some title or property from her deceased husband, especially the widow of a king, duke, etc. (often used as an additional title to differentiate her from the wife of the present king, duke, etc.): a queen dowager; an empress dowager.

an elderly woman of stately dignity, especially one of elevated social position: a wealthy dowager.

adjective

noting, pertaining to, or characteristic of a dowager: the dowager duchess; to prefer a dowager style of dress.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of dowager

1520–30; <Middle French douag(i)ere, equivalent to douage dower (see endow, -age) + -iere, feminine of -ier-ier²

OTHER WORDS FROM dowager

dow·a·ger·ism, noun

Words nearby dowager

dovetail saw, dovish, Dovzhenko, dow, dowable, dowager, dowager's hump, Dowden, Dowding, dowdy, dowel

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use dowager in a sentence

When I tell her that Clooney is rumored to also kiss the Dowager Countess during the episode, she chuckles.
Elizabeth McGovern on the ‘Downton Abbey’ Xmas Album and Lady Grantham’s Kiss with George Clooney|Marlow Stern|November 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Vacations are as mysterious to me as weekends are to the Dowager Countess of Grantham.
One First-Timer’s Adventures in Culebra and Puerto Rico|Kara Cutruzzula|March 14, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Dame Maggie Smith's fiery Dowager Countess will get a confidante in the form of Lady Shackleton, played by Dame Harriet Walters.
The Red Blooded Blue Bloods Hoping To Mend Lady Mary's Heart|Tom Sykes|March 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Since her husband's death in 1999, she has been queen dowager of Jordan.
Queen Noor of Jordan Demanded her Gardener Grow Mangoes in Chilly England|Tom Sykes|May 2, 2012|DAILY BEAST

He called up his mother, the dowager countess, and asked her to come over and look after the children.
Lord Lucan’s Whereabouts: The Tabloid Rebirth of a Decades-Old Crime|William Coles|February 25, 2012|DAILY BEAST
How little did he divine that the letter of the doctor was called forth by a communication from the countess-dowager.
Elster's Folly|Mrs. Henry Wood
The old dowager's voice toned down, and she pulled her black feathers straight upon her head.
Elster's Folly|Mrs. Henry Wood
The doctor had been spending Easter at Cannes, and the dowager had devoutly prayed that he might not yet return.
Elster's Folly|Mrs. Henry Wood
And the countess-dowager fanned herself complacently, and neither she nor Maude cared for the absence of a groomsman.
Elster's Folly|Mrs. Henry Wood
The countess-dowager was not very adroit at spelling and composition, whether French or English, as you observe.
Elster's Folly|Mrs. Henry Wood

British Dictionary definitions for dowager

dowager

/ (ˈdaʊədʒə) /

noun

a widow possessing property or a title obtained from her husband
(as modifier)the dowager duchess

a wealthy or dignified elderly woman

Word Origin for dowager

C16: from Old French douagiere, from douage dower

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

dowager

Origin of dowager

OTHER WORDS FROM dowager

Words nearby dowager

Words related to dowager

How to use dowager in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for dowager

Word Origin for dowager