Widow vs Widower
What’s the difference between them?
Widow
Meaning:
A widow is a woman whose spouse has died and who has not remarried.
Examples:
1. The elderly widow was living alone in her home.
2. The widow was grief-stricken after the death of her husband.
3. In order to support her family, the widow had to take on a second job.
Widower
Meaning:
A man who has lost his spouse through death.
Examples:
1. He was a widower for many years before he found love again.
2. She has a daughter from a previous marriage to a widower.
3. The widower was struggling to come to terms with his wife's sudden death.
Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference
Synonyms
Antonyms
Widow
1. Widow woman
2. Bereaved wife
3. Spouse left alone
4. Surviving wife
1. Married woman
2. Spouse's wife
3. Wife
4. Bride
5. Wife-to-be
Widower
1. Bereaved Husband
2. Orphaned Spouse
3. Unmarried Father
4. Surviving Partner
5. Lone Parent
1. Married man
2. Spouse's husband
3. Husband
4. Groom
5. Husband-to-be
Tricks for mastery
Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "Widow", "Widower".
1. A widow is a woman whose husband has died.
2. A widower is a man whose wife has died.
3. To help recall widow and widower, create a mnemonic phrase such as ‘A widow wears a veil, a widower is a man.’
Practice English with the Promova app and avoid misusing confusing words
Frequently asked questions
When is the appropriate context for using the word 'widow'?
Widow is typically used to refer to a woman whose husband has died and she is no longer married. It can also be used to describe a woman who has been left a widow through the death of her husband or partner, regardless of her marital status.
In what situations should the word 'widower' be used?
Widower is used to refer to a man whose wife has died and he is no longer married. It is typically used if the man has not remarried.
Do the two words share the same pronunciation?
No, widow is pronounced /widow/, while widower is pronounced /widower/
What are some common mistakes people make when using these words?
One common mistake is to assume that the two words are interchangeable. While they are both used to refer to a person whose spouse has died, the words cannot be used interchangeably as they refer to different genders. Additionally, widow is often used to refer to a woman who is unmarried and has lost her partner, while widower is only used to refer to a man whose wife has died and he has not remarried.
Fill in the gaps to check yourself
1. The ______________ left behind three children when his wife passed away.
2. After her husbands death, she became a ______________.
3. The ______________ had to raise her children all alone.
4. The ______________ was heartbroken when he lost his wife.
5. He was the only ______________ in the family.
6. The ______________ felt immense sadness and loneliness.
1. Widower
Explanation: Widower is the correct word to fill the gap because it is a term used to refer to a man whose wife has died and has not remarried.
2. Widow
Explanation: Widow is the correct word to fill the gap because it is a term used to refer to a woman whose husband has died and has not remarried.
3. Widow
Explanation: Widow is the correct word to fill the gap because it is a term used to refer to a woman whose husband has died and has not remarried.
4. Widower
Explanation: Widower is the correct word to fill the gap because it is a term used to refer to a man whose wife has died and has not remarried.
5. Widower
Explanation: Widower is the correct word to fill the gap because it is a term used to refer to a man whose wife has died and has not remarried.
6. Widower
Explanation: Widower is the correct word to fill the gap because it is a term used to refer to a man whose wife has died and has not remarried.
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Download the PDF with a list of commonly confused words made as flashcards for comfortable learning.
List of Commonly Confused Words
Finding your way around the English language can be hard, especially since there are so many confusing words and rules. So, a list of the most confusing words in English is an extremely useful tool for improving language accuracy and sharing the ideas clearly.