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Definitions

mother

[muhth-er] / ˈmʌð ər /
NOUN
female person who has borne children
Synonyms
STRONGEST
mom parent
STRONG
ancestor creator mommy origin predecessor progenitor source
WEAK
child-bearer forebearer procreator
Antonyms
STRONG
descendant effect end result
WEAK
father

Frequently Asked Questions

What is another word for mother?
There are many synonyms for mother. The most common is mom, which is an informal, familiar version of mother. The equivalent mum is commonly used in the U.K. and other places. An even more informal and familiar word is mommy, which is especially used by children. A similarly informal word is mama (and its alternate spellings momma and mamma). All of these terms should be capitalized when they’re used as a way of addressing someone (in other words, when they’re used as a name or a substitute for a name). A mother is a parent. A term that specifically references the role of a mother in bearing a child is child-bearer. The term birthing parent is sometimes used as a gender-neutral term in the context of pregnancy and childbirth. A mother who’s the leader of a family might be called a matriarch. Because mothers are traditionally associated with nurture and caregiving, related words are sometimes used as synonyms, such as nurturer and caregiver. Mother is also sometimes used as a verb meaning to care for someone as a mother or like a mother. Sometimes, it’s used in a negative way that implies that a person is smothering or being overbearing toward the person, as in Please don’t mother me—I can take care of myself.
How do you use mother in a sentence?
Mother is most commonly used as a noun, but it can also be a verb. As a noun, it’s capitalized when it’s used as a name or a substitute for a name. Here are some examples of mother in a sentence:
  • I’ve always wanted to be a mother.
  • You should really listen to Mother—she has your best interests in mind.
  • It’s just her nature to try to mother anyone who looks like they need help.

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.

"He was just at my kitchen door talking about nightmares while me and my daughter were just sat in the living room writing Christmas cards and watching Christmas TV," said the victim's mother.

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2026

No one is identified by anything but first names, including Russell’s mother, Karen, who is the only one who can’t bear to hear the playback.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

Michelle Betts, mother of Lauren and Sienna Betts, has been active on social media urging transfer players to pick UCLA.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

Her mother, Jaderluce Anisio de Oliveira, 53, was confronted by the scene in February after returning early to their home in Sao Goncalo, a city across the bay from Rio de Janeiro.

From Barron's • Apr. 9, 2026

“So I’m not wearing the same dress every day. My mother made this dress for me. I can’t afford to purchase another since I’m working to help my family.”

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu