Definition

The state or condition of a woman whose spouse has died and who has not remarried.

Example

After her husband's passing, she entered a period of widowhood that was both challenging and transformative.

Conversation

I was reading about how some people cope with widowhood after losing a partner.

That sounds really interesting; it's such a tough situation to be in.

Yeah, it made me think about how long that period of widowhood can last for some.

Absolutely, everyone deals with grief differently, and it can take a long time to heal.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Widowhood is formed from "widow" (from Old English "wuduwe", meaning a woman whose spouse has died) and "-hood" (from Old English "hād", meaning state or condition). The word "widowhood" refers to the state or condition of being a widow.

Memory Tip

Think of a woman whose spouse has died ('widow') and the state of being in that situation ('-hood'). This helps you remember that widowhood is the condition of being a widow.

Visually Confused Words