dowager

[ dou-uh-jer ]

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.

adjective

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

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

dowager

/ 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

Other Words From

• dowa·ger·ism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of dowager¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of dowager¹

C16: from Old French douagiere, from douage dower

Example Sentences

When I tell her that Clooney is rumored to also kiss the Dowager Countess during the episode, she chuckles.

From The Daily Beast

Vacations are as mysterious to me as weekends are to the Dowager Countess of Grantham.

From The Daily Beast

Dame Maggie Smith's fiery Dowager Countess will get a confidante in the form of Lady Shackleton, played by Dame Harriet Walters.

From The Daily Beast

Since her husband's death in 1999, she has been queen dowager of Jordan.

From The Daily Beast

He called up his mother, the dowager countess, and asked her to come over and look after the children.

From The Daily Beast

How little did he divine that the letter of the doctor was called forth by a communication from the countess-dowager.

From Project Gutenberg

The old dowager's voice toned down, and she pulled her black feathers straight upon her head.

From Project Gutenberg

The doctor had been spending Easter at Cannes, and the dowager had devoutly prayed that he might not yet return.

From Project Gutenberg

And the countess-dowager fanned herself complacently, and neither she nor Maude cared for the absence of a groomsman.

From Project Gutenberg

The countess-dowager was not very adroit at spelling and composition, whether French or English, as you observe.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• matron