veuve
/vœv/feminine
The French word for widow is veuve.
veuve is a noun used to refer to a woman whose spouse has died.
Meaning: woman whose spouse has died (noun)
Which one should you use?
The term veuve is strictly feminine and is used specifically for a woman. To refer to a widower, use the masculine form veuf.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of veuve is veuves. The masculine counterpart to this word is veuf.
How do you pronounce it?
/vœv/
Did you know?
- In French, the word 'veuve' is also used in the name of a famous Champagne house, 'Veuve Clicquot', which is a recognizable global brand.
- Historically, French law recognized the veuve as having specific legal capacities to manage property that were not granted to married women.
- The French word veuve shares a common ancestor with the English word 'widow', as both descend from the Latin 'vidua'.
Examples in context
- Tom a épousé une veuve.Tom got married to a widow.This sentence shows how to use veuve in the context of marriage.Tatoeba #7561081 by tras, translation #7544527 by CK
- Layla est une triste veuve.Layla is a sad widow.This sentence describes a person using veuve.Tatoeba #6376029 by Scorpionvenin14, translation #6376020 by OsoHombre
- La veuve a longtemps pleuré son mari.The widow mourned her husband for a long time.This sentence illustrates a widow mourning her husband using veuve.Tatoeba #786153 by sacredceltic, translation #8533307 by sundown
- Madame Lefèvre est une veuve très courageuseMrs. Lefèvre is a very courageous widow
- Selon la loi, la femme veuve a droit à une pensionAccording to the law, the widowed woman is entitled to a pension
- Elle est veuve depuis deux ansShe has been a widow for two years
- Ton grand-père est veuf depuis longtempsYour grandfather has been a widower for a long time
- Je tiens à exprimer mes sincères condoléances à Madame Dupont, une veuve si courageuse.I would like to extend my sincere condolences to Mrs. Dupont, such a courageous widow.
- Mon oncle est veuf depuis l'année dernière.My uncle has been a widower since last year.
- Selon le recensement, il y a environ 3 millions de veuves en France.According to the census, there are approximately 3 million widows in France.
- 15 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Hugo are talking about an elderly neighbor.
- LéaLa veuve du quartier est très gentille.The neighborhood widow is very kind.
- HugoC'est vrai, elle m'a aidé hier.That's true, she helped me yesterday.
- LéaElle est seule depuis que son mari est mort.She has been alone since her husband died.
- HugoOui, c'est une femme courageuse.Yes, she is a courageous woman.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “widow” translations and entries veuve, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries veuve, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
