spinster

noun

spin·​ster ˈspin(t)-stər 

1

: a woman whose occupation is to spin

2

a

archaic : an unmarried woman of gentle family

b

: an unmarried woman and especially one past the common age for marrying

3

: a woman who seems unlikely to marry

spinsterhood

ˈspin(t)-stər-ˌhu̇d 

noun

spinsterish

ˈspin(t)-st(ə-)rish 

adjective

spinsterly adjective

Examples of spinster in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This elegant ensemble was likely one of only two owned by Miss Bliss, who despite her great wealth was a modest, intensely private spinster. —airmail.news, 9 Nov. 2024

One of the men, Capt. William West, was born to West’s spinster aunt, Elizabeth — and illegitimate. —Cnn, The Mercury News, 25 Dec. 2024

Dafoe, an actor who has played more than his fair share of villains, is exceptionally crazed here as Thomas Wake, basically a lonely, manipulative spinster who treats the lighthouse like his own palace. —Nicholas Bell, SPIN, 4 Sep. 2024

The great spinsters of literature were often portrayed as, if not monstrous, then ugly, cruel and unwanted. —Scottie Andrew, CNN, 27 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

spinster

noun

spin·​ster ˈspin(t)-stər 

1

: a woman whose occupation is to spin

2

: an unmarried woman past the usual age for marrying

spinsterhood

-ˌhu̇d 

noun

spinsterish

-st(ə-)rish 

adjective

spinsterly adverb