dowager
noun
dow·a·ger
ˈdau̇-i-jər 
1
: a widow holding property or a title from her deceased husband
2
: a dignified elderly woman
Examples of dowager in a Sentence
The estate is owned by a wealthy dowager.
the town's dowagers frequently shake their heads over the younger generation
Recent Examples on the Web
The show’s underpinned by the differences in character and country of Lady Cora and her formidable mother-in-law, the dowager Countess Violet Crawley, played by the equally formidable and much missed Dame Maggie Smith.
—
Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 22 July 2025
The empress dowager’s legacy Empress Dowager Ling was largely unsuccessful in her bid for power.
—Stephanie Balkwill, The Conversation, 17 Mar. 2025
Playing an acid-tongue dowager or master teacher of witchcraft came naturally to her, but what thrilled her about acting was its transformative freedom.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2024
There were pompous society dowagers with melting faces, young beauties with speckled dresses, unexpected sphinxes and nature spirits.
—Will Heinrich, New York Times, 6 Feb. 2024
See All Example Sentences for dowager
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Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 22 July 2025
The empress dowager’s legacy Empress Dowager Ling was largely unsuccessful in her bid for power.
—Stephanie Balkwill, The Conversation, 17 Mar. 2025
Playing an acid-tongue dowager or master teacher of witchcraft came naturally to her, but what thrilled her about acting was its transformative freedom.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 27 Sep. 2024
There were pompous society dowagers with melting faces, young beauties with speckled dresses, unexpected sphinxes and nature spirits.
—Will Heinrich, New York Times, 6 Feb. 2024
See All Example Sentences for dowager
Cite this Entry
“Dowager.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dowager. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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dowager
noun
dow·a·ger
ˈdau̇-i-jər
: a dignified elderly woman
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