Meaning

(sometimes derogatory) A woman who has never been married, especially one past the typical marrying age according to social traditions..

Definitions by Sense

1. (sometimes derogatory) A woman who has never been married, especially one past the typical marrying age according to social traditions.
2. One who spins (puts a spin on) a political media story so as to give something a favorable or advantageous appearance; a spin doctor, spin merchant or spinmeister.
3. (obsolete) Someone whose occupation was spinning thread.
4. (obsolete) A woman of evil life and character; so called from being forced to spin in a house of correction.
5. (rare, dialectal) A spider; an insect (such as a silkworm) which spins thread.

Example Sentences

If […] a woman be named spinster, she may abate […]the same [writ].

Iola Boylen is Mama's longtime friend and neighbor, a spinster who lives with her never-seen domineering mother.

The spinsters and the knitters in the sun.

Word Forms

• spinsters

Synonyms for spinster

Related Words

When Should You Use Spinster?

Use spinster when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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