spinsterhood
2
9.3
- noun
- /ˈspɪnstərˌhʊd/
- Offensive
- It wasn't until the huge biography of her father came out that she learned why she'd been destined for spinsterhood.
- eternal spinsterhood
- life of spinsterhood
Examples
-
Many women in their fifties embrace spinsterhood and focus on their careers and hobbies.
-
Anne had survived well into her eighties, apparently relishing her spinsterhood.
Fiction book (1998) -
Now, hurry up with the lunch, or I'll wish five years of spinsterhood on you.
-
"In truth, I am glad for your spinsterhood.
Fiction book (2002) -
I was holding out for love, not for spinsterhood.
Blog text (21) -
" No, I fear I am doomed to a life of spinsterhood."
Fiction book (1999) -
Believe me, spinsterhood is bleak.
-
I think the ultimate benchmark of spinsterhood has to be this story.
Blog text (17) -
She'd long since resigned herself to a life of eternal spinsterhood, but somehow she'd always pictured herself in her own neat little terrace house.
Fiction book (2002) -
Despite society's expectations, she found joy and freedom in her spinsterhood as an independent woman.
Synonyms
1
7.1
The state of not having a husband or wife
Antonyms
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Spinsterhood comes from spinster, which first meant a woman who 'spun' thread, and the ending -hood, which means 'state' as in childhood. So, spinsterhood is the 'state' of being a spinster, an unmarried, often older, woman.