materfamilias

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The film earned five Oscar nominations, including a best supporting actress nod for the veteran Billie Burke as the materfamilias of a wealthy but wacky family.

From Los Angeles Times • May 28, 2026

The novel recounts the history and hardships of the Binewski clan, carnival folk whose pater- and materfamilias, Al and Crystal Lil, create their own freak show.

From Washington Post • Nov. 11, 2022

That loyalty can also be, at times, very foolish, to the extent where even Goodfellas materfamilias Karen Hill would question such irrational devotion.

From The Guardian • Oct. 11, 2016

In Mr. Konchalovsky’s film Jill Clayburgh plays a Manhattan journalist who treks into the deep Louisiana bayou to interview relatives, among them a flinty materfamilias played by Barbara Hershey.

From New York Times • Jun. 2, 2012

In England materfamilias is always complaining of servant difficulties.

From How to be Happy Though Married Being a Handbook to Marriage by Hardy, Edward John