A widow is a woman who's husband has died.
A widower is a man whose wife has died.
Yes, this seems a little strange, considering the -er ending for widower, suggesting a weird and outdated sort of active/passive relationship. In reference to same-sex or gender-fluid couples, any woman who has lost her partner to death would be a widow, and any man, a widower.
A person who is widowed (adjective) has lost their spouse to death and could be a man or woman. The term usually refers to a woman whose spouse has died, but can also refer to a man whose spouse has died.
Using "Widow" in a Sentence
A woman was widowed last week after the sudden death of her husband.
The widow stood outside her house in mourning.
It's important to know that not all widows will experience this.
The average age of a widow is 55.
The widowhood of a young woman is a time of tremendous anxiety and sadness but often incredible growth.
Using "Widower" in a Sentence
Bob is a widower. He has been mourning for his wife for six months now.
The widower wore a black suit to the funeral.
This man suffers from the depression of being a widower.
He’s a widower, and he lives alone in an apartment.
For more help with English vocabulary and usage, be sure to check out the growing list of confusing English words.