black widow: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal to neutral; technical (in biology).
Quick answer
What does “black widow” mean?
A venomous spider (Latrodectus mactans) of the Americas, the female of which has a glossy black colour with red markings and may kill and eat the male after mating.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A venomous spider (Latrodectus mactans) of the Americas, the female of which has a glossy black colour with red markings and may kill and eat the male after mating.
In popular culture and figurative usage, a woman who kills or brings misfortune to her partner or husband; or a dangerous or alluring woman.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term refers to the same spider species in both varieties, but as the species is native to the Americas, the term is more common in American English. In British English, it is a known term but more likely used in scientific or sensational contexts. Figurative use is understood in both.
Connotations
Figurative use carries similar strong negative/femme fatale connotations in both varieties. In the US, there is stronger immediate recognition of the spider itself due to its presence.
Frequency
Higher frequency in American English, both literally and figuratively.
Grammar
How to Use “black widow” in a Sentence
the black widow (spider)a black widowlike a black widowVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “black widow” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Not standard; very rare figurative use) 'She seemed to black widow her way through a series of wealthy husbands.'
American English
- (Not standard; very rare figurative use) 'He joked that she would black widow him if he proposed.'
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverbial use)
American English
- (No standard adverbial use)
adjective
British English
- A black-widow mentality (figurative, hyphenated).
- The black widow spider is a concern.
American English
- She has a black widow reputation (figurative).
- Black widow venom is neurotoxic.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used. Possibly in a figurative, pejorative sense in gossip about a ruthless female executive ('the black widow of the boardroom').
Academic
Used in biology/zoology texts describing the species, its venom, and behaviour.
Everyday
Used to describe the actual spider if encountered, or as a vivid metaphor for a treacherous woman.
Technical
Strict zoological/entomological term: Latrodectus mactans or related species.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “black widow”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “black widow”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “black widow”
- Using 'black widow' to refer to any black spider (incorrect). Spelling as one word 'blackwidow' (incorrect). Overusing the figurative sense in formal writing.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while their venom is potent and a bite requires medical attention, fatalities are very rare, especially with modern antivenom available.
Black widows are native to temperate regions of North America, but related 'widow' spiders are found worldwide.
The name comes from the (now debated) observation that the female sometimes kills and eats the male after mating, thereby 'widowing' herself.
Figuratively, it is almost exclusively applied to women due to the gendered nature of the metaphor. A male equivalent might be a 'bluebeard'.
A venomous spider (Latrodectus mactans) of the Americas, the female of which has a glossy black colour with red markings and may kill and eat the male after mating.
Black widow is usually informal to neutral; technical (in biology). in register.
Black widow: in British English it is pronounced /ˌblæk ˈwɪdəʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌblæk ˈwɪdoʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “She's a real black widow (figurative)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a widow dressed in black with a red detail on her dress, who is dangerous – just like the spider.
Conceptual Metaphor
DANGEROUS ATTRACTION IS A VENOMOUS SPIDER / A DECEITFUL WOMAN IS A BLACK WIDOW SPIDER.
Practice
Quiz
In figurative language, what does 'black widow' typically imply?