widower

A widower is a man whose spouse has died and who has not remarried. The term is the male counterpart to widow, and both terms describe a person's marital status following the death of a spouse. A widower may have children from the marriage, but not necessarily. The experience of losing a spouse can involve long-term grief and adjustment.

Historically, the word widower derives from Old English widewe and related Germanic roots; widower has been used in English since the early Middle Ages. The corresponding female term is widow. In many languages, distinct terms or gendered forms exist, reflecting different cultural expectations around mourning and remarriage.

Widowers may encounter changes in finances, household responsibilities, and social networks after the spouse's death. Some may face stigma or pressure regarding remarriage, while others pursue new partnerships or choose to live alone. Support often comes from family, friends, religious communities, and bereavement services. Coping approaches vary by culture and individual.

Among older adults, widowers are generally fewer in number than widows in many populations, partly because women tend to live longer than men. The remaining may experience altered life expectancy and health outcomes, but these patterns differ by country and era. Data on widower demographics are used in social research to understand family structure, caregiving, and economic needs after spousal loss.