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

In its 2001 film adaptation, Zellweger fell headfirst into life as a London girl and audiences around the globe fell in love with a verbally incontinent spinster who drinks like a fish, smokes like a chimney and dresses like her mother. —Lily Ford, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019

The latter have moved away from the village and do not appear, while the former stay and assist their mother, the eldest being a literal spinster. —Ryan Swen, Variety, 18 Jan. 2025

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

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for spinster

• minster
• axminster

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