widowhood

/'widouhud/

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Explanation of "Widowhood"

Definition:
"Widowhood" is a noun that refers to the state or condition of being a widow. A widow is a woman whose husband has died and who has not remarried. So, widowhood describes the time in a woman's life when she is living without her husband after his death.

Usage Instructions

• Basic Use: You can use "widowhood" when talking about the period after a woman's husband dies.
• Example Sentence: "After years of widowhood, she decided to travel and explore new hobbies."

Advanced Usage

• In more formal contexts, "widowhood" might be discussed in relation to social issues, emotional challenges, or support systems for widows.
• Example Sentence: "The study focused on the psychological impacts of widowhood on women in different cultures."

Word Variants

• Widow (noun): A woman whose husband has died.
• Widower (noun): A man whose wife has died.
• Widowed (adjective): Describing someone who has lost their spouse.

Different Meanings

• "Widowhood" specifically refers to the state of being a widow and does not have other meanings.

Synonyms

• Bereavement: Although this term can also refer to the loss of any loved one, it is often used in relation to losing a spouse.
• Singlehood: This term generally refers to being single but can sometimes apply in a broader context.

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

• There are no common idioms or phrasal verbs specifically related to "widowhood," but you might hear phrases like:
  • "In mourning" – This means someone is grieving the loss of a loved one, which can include being in widowhood.

Summary

"Widowhood" describes the state a woman is in after her husband has passed away and she has not remarried.

Academic

Noun

1. the state of being a widow who has not remarried
2. the time of a woman's life when she is a widow