viuda
/ˈbjuda/feminine
The English word widow is viuda in Spanish.
The noun viuda refers to a woman whose spouse has died. You can use the verb enviudar to describe the process of becoming a widow or widower through the death of a spouse.
Meaning: woman whose spouse has died (noun)
Which one should you use?
While viuda is the feminine form for a widow, the masculine form is viudo, which means widower.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To talk about more than one female widow, use the plural form viudas. The masculine plural form viudos can refer specifically to a group of widowers or to a mixed-gender group of both widows and widowers.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈbjuda/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, viuda can refer to a specific type of 'widow's peak' hairline, known as pico de viuda.
- In some Spanish-speaking cultures, a viuda traditionally wore a mantilla, a lace or silk veil, to signify her mourning during religious services.
- The evolution from the Old Spanish vibda to the modern viuda shows how the pronunciation of the 'b' and 'v' sounds merged over centuries of linguistic change.
Examples in context
- Una viuda tenía dos hijas.A widow had two daughters.This sentence is useful for describing a widow with two daughters.Tatoeba #1168792 by marcelostockle, translation #1241242 by xellugis
- Conozco a la viuda de Tom.I know Tom's widow.This sentence is useful for identifying Tom's widow.Tatoeba #12008505 by JSKabylie15, translation #2376248 by CK
- Él deja a una viuda y a una hija.He leaves a widow and a daughter.This sentence is useful for describing someone leaving a widow and a daughter behind.Tatoeba #2931418 by teskmon, translation #285532 by CK
- Mis condolencias a la señora Martínez, ella es una viuda reciente.My condolences to Mrs. Martinez, she is a recent widow.
- 13 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Sofía are talking about a neighbor in their apartment building.
- Javier¿Sabes algo de la nueva vecina?Do you know anything about the new neighbor?
- SofíaSí, es una viuda que vive sola.Yes, she is a widow who lives alone.
- JavierPobre mujer, debe estar muy triste.Poor woman, she must be very sad.
- SofíaEs verdad, pero es muy amable.It's true, but she is very kind.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “widow” translations and entries viuda, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries viuda, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
