VOOZH about

URL: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dowry

⇱ DOWRY Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

    • To save this word, you'll need to log in.
plural dowries
1
law : the money, goods, or estate that a woman brings to her husband in marriage
cultures in which marriage rarely occurs without dowry or bride-price
2
: a natural talent or gift
Beauty should be the dowry of every man and woman, as invariably as sensation; but it is rare.β€”πŸ‘ Image
Ralph Waldo Emerson
3
archaic, law : dower sense 1

Examples of dowry in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Each couple receives a set of items worth about $1,000 that would traditionally be given by the bride’s family as part of dowry. β€”πŸ‘ Image
Ayushi Shah, CNN Money, 31 Mar. 2026 She could be put away and go to jail for embezzling Sophie’s dowry, and Armenta is deathly afraid of being called out in front of society. β€”πŸ‘ Image
Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 27 Feb. 2026 Viewers learned that one of the characters in the Netflix series has a dowry of 18,000 pounds. β€”πŸ‘ Image
Cheryl V. Jackson, IndyStar, 27 Feb. 2026 Earlier in the season, Sophie discovers her late father’s will and learns that Araminta (Katie Leung) has been embezzling her dowry. β€”πŸ‘ Image
Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dowry

Word History

Etymology

Middle English dowarie, from Anglo-French, alteration of dower, douaire β€” more at dower

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Time Traveler
The first known use of dowry was in the 14th century

Rhymes for dowry

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

β€œDowry.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dowry. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

plural dowries
: the property that a woman brings to her husband in marriage in some cultures

More from Merriam-Webster on dowry

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced searchβ€”ad free!

Merriam-Webster unabridged

More from Merriam-Webster