# widow's mite

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/widows-mite
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A very small gift or donation which, however, represents a great sacrifice on the part of the giver.

## Examples

- She gave her widow's mite to help the local food bank.
- Although he had very little money himself, he offered his widow's mite to support the family in need.
- The humble donation was truly a widow's mite, representing a significant personal sacrifice that far outweighed its modest monetary value.

## Origin

From the Bible account of a widow who deposited two mites into a temple contribution box. The mite, or lepton, was a coin of exceptionally low value, yet the gesture was recorded in the books of Luke (21:1–4) and Mark (12:38–44) as a significant act of devotion. The narrative as presented in the New International Version describes Jesus Christ observing wealthy donors and noting that the widow’s two coins constituted a greater gift than their larger offerings. The distinction rested on the proportion of the sacrifice; the wealthy contributed from their surplus, while she, in her poverty, surrendered everything she had to live on.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.