veuve
/vœv/
veuve is the French word for widow.
Which one should you use?
veuve is the feminine form used for a widow, whereas veuf is the masculine form used for a widower.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of veuve is veuves.
How do you pronounce it?
/vœv/
Did you know?
- The world famous champagne house Veuve Clicquot takes its name from Madame Clicquot, who became a veuve in 1805 and grew the business into a global empire.
- Some French speakers use the phrase faire la veuve as a slang expression meaning to act mournful or pretend to be miserable to gain sympathy.
- The term veuve is used in French folklore to describe the veuve noire, or black widow spider, reflecting the dark reputation of the insect.
Examples in context
- Madame veuve Dupont a été honorée lors de la cérémonieMrs. Dupont, the widow, was honored during the ceremony
- La veuve est venue à la cérémonie avec sa familleThe widow came to the ceremony with her family
- Elle est veuve depuis dix ans.She has been a widow for ten years.
- La veuve habite seule dans la maison.The widow lives alone in the house.
- C'est une veuve très élégante.She is a very elegant widow.
Example conversation
Emma and Lucas are discussing a neighbor's situation.
- EmmaEst-ce que Madame Martin est veuve ?Is Mrs. Martin a widow?
- LucasOui, elle est veuve depuis l'année dernière.Yes, she has been a widow since last year.
- EmmaElle doit être très seule.She must be very lonely.
- LucasC'est vrai, mais elle a beaucoup d'amis.That's true, but she has many friends.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry veuve, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
