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
spinsterly
adjective
Examples of spinster in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The fifth and sixth books in the original Julia Quinn series cover the love stories of sisters Eloise (Claudia Jessie), the spinster, and Francesca Bridgerton (Hannah Dodd), the quiet one, respectively.
—
Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 14 May 2025
Ruth Buzzi, who was so hilarious as the lonely spinster Gladys Ormphby, the lady who swung her handbag as a lethal weapon, on Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, has died.
—Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 2 May 2025
Buzzi told The Times in 2011 about working with John Wayne on the variety show, including in one sketch where Gladys wasn't a spinster.
—Arkansas Online, 3 May 2025
Ruth Buzzi, the actress and comedian who made television audiences belly-laugh as the purse-wielding spinster Gladys Ormphby on the groundbreaking sketch comedy series Laugh-In, died in her sleep at her home in Texas on Thursday.
—Jessica Wang, EW.com, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for spinster
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 14 May 2025
Ruth Buzzi, who was so hilarious as the lonely spinster Gladys Ormphby, the lady who swung her handbag as a lethal weapon, on Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, has died.
—Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 2 May 2025
Buzzi told The Times in 2011 about working with John Wayne on the variety show, including in one sketch where Gladys wasn't a spinster.
—Arkansas Online, 3 May 2025
Ruth Buzzi, the actress and comedian who made television audiences belly-laugh as the purse-wielding spinster Gladys Ormphby on the groundbreaking sketch comedy series Laugh-In, died in her sleep at her home in Texas on Thursday.
—Jessica Wang, EW.com, 2 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for spinster
Cite this Entry
“Spinster.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spinster. Accessed 28 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share