How Do You Spell WIDOWED?

Pronunciation: [wˈɪdə͡ʊd] (IPA)

The word "widowed" is spelled with a silent "o", which can create confusion for English learners. The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /ˈwɪdəʊd/, with the symbol "ə" representing the unstressed vowel sound in the first syllable. The "o" in the second syllable is pronounced as a long "o" sound /əʊ/, not as a short "i" sound. This irregular spelling can be tricky to remember, but it is important for clear and accurate communication in written and spoken English.

WIDOWED Meaning and Definition

  1. Widowed is an adjective that describes an individual who has lost their spouse due to death. It refers to the state of being widowed, where someone's marital partner has passed away, resulting in a person becoming a widow or widower. This term is primarily used to describe the surviving partner in a marriage where one spouse has died, commonly referred to as being left widowed. Widowed individuals have gone through the experience of losing their life partner and are now in a state of bereavement.

    The term widowed carries emotional connotations, as it encompasses the grief, loneliness, and adjustment faced by individuals who have become widows or widowers. It encapsulates the life-altering impact of losing a spouse, including the changes in routine, financial adjustments, and emotional challenges that come with adjusting to life without a significant other.

    Society often recognizes widowed individuals as deserving of empathy, support, and understanding during this challenging phase of their lives. Many cultures have specific customs and rituals surrounding the widowed, recognizing their unique status and providing them with specific social support networks or mourning periods.

    Overall, the term widowed is an adjective that denotes the status of an individual who has experienced the death of their spouse and is now living without them.

  2. Bereaved of a husband by death; deprived of some good; stripped.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for WIDOWED *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for WIDOWED

Etymology of WIDOWED

The word "widowed" dates back to Old English and is derived from the word "widewe", meaning a woman whose husband has died. This Old English term has its roots in the Proto-Germanic word "widuwō", which also meant a widow. The Proto-Germanic word, in turn, can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root "weyd-", meaning "to be empty" or "to be apart". Over time, "widowed" evolved to be used both for women and men whose spouses have passed away.

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