A dowager's a widow who holds a title or property, or dower, derived from her deceased husband. As an adjective, "Dowager" usually appears in association with monarchical and aristocratic titles. In loose popular usage, dowager as a stand-alone noun may refer to any elderly woman, especially one who's wealthy or behaves with dignity. Use in the United Kingdom In the United Kingdom, the widow of a peer may continue to use the style she'd during her husband's lifetime, for example "Countess of Lo… (More on Dowager)