noun · neutral
widowhood
UK/ˈwɪd.əʊ.hʊd/US/ˈwɪd.oʊ.hʊd/WID·ow·hood
The state of being a widow or widower; the period after one's spouse has died.
Examples
“She described how widowhood changed her priorities.”
“Studies on widowhood show increased risk of social isolation among the elderly.”
“Financial security is a major concern during widowhood for many families.”
Band 8 sentence
“Public policies need to address the specific economic vulnerabilities that often accompany widowhood among older women.”
Collocations
- enter widowhood
- experience widowhood
- cope with widowhood
Word family
Common mistakes
She is widow.→She is a widow.
During the widowhood, she moved to another city.→During widowhood, she moved to another city.
Say it for a higher band
5a widow→6being widowed→7+widowhood
Synonyms
bereavement
Easily confused
bereavement
“Bereavement can affect someone's ability to concentrate at work.”
Related words
Learn this word with the rest of its set, and get reminded at the right time.
In -hood
Learn it with its set