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# dowager

noun (a dowager, dowagers)

«dowager» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A widow who has a title or property from her dead husband, such as a «dowager duchess» or «dowager queen». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dowager/#m1)
2. (informal) A grand, dignified old lady. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dowager/#m2)

### In the lessons

In history lessons and classic novels, a dowager is a noble widow, often the mother of the new duke or king. In stories it suggests an important, sometimes strict, older woman. Phrases: «dowager duchess», «Empress Dowager», «Queen Dowager».

### Examples

- The dowager duchess still lived in the old castle. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dowager/#x1)
- The Empress Dowager ruled China for many years. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dowager/#x2)
- After the king died, his widow became the queen dowager. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dowager/#x3)
- A stern dowager sat in the front row of the concert. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dowager/#x4)
- The young duke's mother was now called the dowager. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dowager/#x5)
- The dowager wore pearls and a feathered hat. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dowager/#x6)
- The Queen-dowager was wise and good, and tried her best to make her people happy. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dowager/#x7)

### Note

Countable. Pronounced «DOW-a-jer» (DOW rhymes with cow). Old-fashioned and formal; mostly in history and novels. Comes from «dower», property given to a widow.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «dowager» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/D/dowager/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«dowager» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/dowager.html) on Mova free.