# dowager

/ˈdaʊədʒɝ/ (US) · /dˈaʊɪdʒɐ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/dowager
Updated: 2026-05-20

## Definition

a woman who has been married to a man who has died. She usually keeps the title and the money from her husband's family.

For teachers: a woman who has been widowed and retains the title and estate of her deceased husband. Often used in historical or formal contexts to describe the status of a queen or noblewoman after her husband's death.

## Examples

- The dowager queen lived in a large palace in the city.
- The dowager spent her retirement years traveling across Europe, visiting the many palaces she had once owned.
- Historians often study the dowager's influence on court politics, noting how her wealth and social standing allowed her to maintain significant power even after her husband's passing.

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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.