dowager

American  

[dou-uh-jer] / ˈdaʊ ə dʒər /

noun

1. 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.

2. an elderly woman of stately dignity, especially one of elevated social position.

   a wealthy dowager.

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adjective

1. noting, pertaining to, or characteristic of a dowager.

   the dowager duchess; to prefer a dowager style of dress.

dowager British  

/ ˈdaʊədʒə /

noun

1. 1. a widow possessing property or a title obtained from her husband

   2. ( as modifier )

      the dowager duchess

2. a wealthy or dignified elderly woman

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Other Word Forms

• dowagerism noun

Etymology

Origin of dowager

1520–30; < Middle French douag ( i ) ere, equivalent to douage dower ( endow, -age ) + -iere, feminine of -ier -ier ²

Explanation

A dowager is a serious-minded older woman, especially one who is a wealthy widow. In some countries, the widow of a king was historically known as the Queen dowager. Dowager is an old-fashioned term of respect for a woman whose husband died and left her money and property, and often a title as well. The wife of a now-deceased count might have been known (and addressed) as a dowager countess, for example. In the old days, this title was useful since it distinguished a widow from the wife of the heir to her late husband's title. The heir's wife would be the duchess, while the widow would be the dowager duchess.

Example Sentences

Fellow Downton star Samantha Bond says fledgling performers in the series sometimes found it hard to distinguish between Dame Maggie and the acid-tongued dowager countess she portrayed.

From BBC • Dec. 27, 2024

Consider the haughtiness of her unforgettable dowager in “Gosford Park” set against the character’s dire financial straits.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 27, 2024

She accelerates those winds by outsmarting the dowager princess and planning a ball featuring Black and white members of society mixing, something previously unheard of until Charlotte's arrival.

From Salon • May 6, 2023

Following Gaozong’s death in 683, Wu ruled as empress dowager and regent for her son, though she held all the real power of the state.

From Textbooks • Apr. 19, 2023

Oldtown was as flowery as a perfumed dowager.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin

Related Words

• matron