How to Pronounce Widow

To pronounce "widow", say WID-ow — 2 syllables, IPA /ˈwɪ.dəʊ/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

widow

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Accent

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Speed

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2

Syllables

5

Letters

/ˈwɪ.dəʊ/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “widow”

"widow" has 2 syllables: wid-ow. It rhymes with prideaux and snidow, if that helps it stick.

What does widow mean?

noun

  1. A woman whose spouse has died (and who has not remarried); feminine of widower.
  2. A person whose spouse has died (and who has not remarried).

verb

  1. To make a widow or widower of someone; to cause the death of the spouse of.
  2. To strip of anything valued.

Hear “widow” in real sentences

Real example sentences from Tatoeba (CC-BY) — tap to hear each one, or see it used on YouGlish.

Words that rhyme with widow

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

prideauxsnidowsydow

Related words

widowerwidowhoodwifespouseremarriagewomanbereavementmourning

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "widow"?▾

"Widow" has 2 syllables: wid · ow.

What is the IPA transcription of "widow"?▾

The IPA transcription of "widow" is /ˈwɪ.dəʊ/.

What does "widow" mean?▾

Widow: A woman whose spouse has died (and who has not remarried); feminine of widower.

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