What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
dowage
Example
The bride's dowage included a large sum of money and several pieces of land. [dowage: noun]
Example
In some cultures, it is customary for the bride's family to dowage the groom's family as part of the marriage agreement. [dowaging: gerund or present participle]
endowment
Example
The university received a generous endowment from a wealthy donor. [endowment: noun]
Example
She has an endowment for music and can play multiple instruments. [endowment: noun]
Example
The government provided an endowment to support the development of renewable energy sources. [endowing: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Endowment is more commonly used than dowage in everyday language. Endowment is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while dowage is less common and is associated with specific cultural practices related to marriage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between dowage and endowment?
Endowment is generally viewed as a more formal word than dowage. It is often used in the context of philanthropy, academia, or business, while dowage is associated with traditional or historical practices related to marriage.
