What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
widowed
Example
She became widowed after her husband passed away. [widowed: adjective]
Example
He is now legally widowed after his wife's death was confirmed. [widowed: verb]
grieving
Example
She is still grieving the loss of her father. [grieving: present participle]
Example
The family is going through a difficult time as they grieve the loss of their son. [grieve: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Grieving is more commonly used than widowed in everyday language. Grieving is a more versatile term that can be used to describe a range of emotional responses to loss, while widowed is a more specific term that is used less frequently.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between widowed and grieving?
Widowed can have a more formal or legal connotation, while grieving is more commonly associated with personal and emotional experiences. Therefore, widowed may be more appropriate in formal or legal contexts, while grieving is more suitable for personal or informal situations.
