A widower is a man whose wife has died and who has not remarried. The word describes his status after this loss: he was married, but his spouse passed away.

The female equivalent is widow, a woman whose husband has died. Together, these words have been part of English for centuries because they describe an important change in someone's life. When you read historical documents or family records, you might see someone listed as a widower to explain their family situation.

In many stories and books, widowers appear as characters rebuilding their lives after loss. A widower might be raising children on his own, or starting over in a new place. Some widowers eventually remarry and start new families, while others remain single.

The word carries a sense of respect and sympathy. When someone becomes a widower, people in their community often offer support and understanding, recognizing that losing a spouse is one of life's hardest experiences.