dowry
C1Formal, Academic, Legal, Sociological
Definition
Meaning
Property or money brought by a bride to her husband on their marriage.
A sum of money or property given to a man upon marriage, historically to secure his wife's future or to reflect her family's status; in modern contexts, often discussed critically in relation to gender inequality and social pressure.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is strongly associated with historical and cultural marriage practices, particularly in South Asia, the Middle East, and parts of Africa. In contemporary Western discourse, it is often used in anthropological, sociological, or feminist critiques rather than in descriptions of current local practice.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The spelling is consistent.
Connotations
In both varieties, the word carries connotations of tradition, sometimes oppression, and is often discussed in contexts of human rights and gender studies.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in British English due to historical colonial ties and contemporary diaspora communities where the practice is discussed.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The dowry consisted of [property/money].[Someone] paid/provided/demanded a dowry.A dowry was given to [the groom/his family].Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Dowry death (a death of a married woman caused by disputes over her dowry).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might appear in international business contexts discussing marriage-related financial transfers in certain regions.
Academic
Common in anthropology, sociology, gender studies, and history papers discussing marriage customs, economics of marriage, and women's rights.
Everyday
Used when discussing news stories about cultures where the practice persists, or in historical fiction.
Technical
Used in legal texts in jurisdictions where dowry-related laws exist (e.g., India's Dowry Prohibition Act).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The family was pressured to dowry their daughter with a new car.
- (Note: 'to dowry' as a verb is archaic/rare)
American English
- (The verb form is virtually unused in modern American English.)
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverbial form derived from 'dowry'.)
American English
- (No standard adverbial form derived from 'dowry'.)
adjective
British English
- Dowry-related violence is a serious social issue.
- The dowry system is often criticised.
American English
- Dowry disputes can lead to tragic outcomes.
- She studied dowry practices in her thesis.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Her family gave a dowry when she got married.
- In some cultures, the bride's family must pay a large dowry to the groom.
- Anthropologists argue that the dowry system can perpetuate gender inequality by framing women as financial burdens on their natal families.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a bride walking DOWN the aisle, carrying a tREasurY (dowry) to her new family.
Conceptual Metaphor
MARRIAGE IS A FINANCIAL TRANSACTION; A WOMAN IS PROPERTY.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'приданое' (pridanoye), which is a closer match. Avoid using 'вено' (veno), which is an archaic term for bride price.
- The English 'dowry' is specifically from the bride's side. The Russian 'калым' (kalym) refers to bride price (from the groom's side) and is an antonym in context.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'dowry' to mean a general gift or inheritance. It is specifically marriage-related.
- Confusing 'dowry' (from bride's family) with 'bride price' or 'dower' (from groom's side).
- Misspelling as 'dowery'.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary direction of transfer in a dowry?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A dowry is a pre-negotiated transfer of wealth from the bride's family to the groom or his family, tied directly to the marriage contract. Wedding gifts are voluntary presents given to the couple by guests.
It is illegal in several countries, most notably in India under the Dowry Prohibition Act of 1961. However, the practice often continues unofficially in various forms.
A dowry is property brought by the wife to the marriage. A dower (historically) is property settled on the wife by the husband, typically for her support if widowed.
In historical or descriptive anthropological contexts, it can be neutral. In most modern discourse, especially concerning contemporary practices, it carries a negative connotation due to associations with coercion, debt, and violence against women.