Word: Mother

Pronunciation

/ˈmʌðər/

Definitions

• Noun: A woman in relation to her child or children; one’s female parent. For example: “She was a loving and caring mother to her three children.”
• Noun (figurative): A person or thing regarded as the originator, source, or protector of something. Example: “Mother Earth”
• Noun (derogatory): A term sometimes used to refer disrespectfully to an older woman.
• Noun (religious): In certain religious contexts, it can refer to the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ.

Phrases

• “Mother Nature”: Refers to the natural environment and its processes.
• “Mother tongue”: A person’s first language learned from birth.
• “The mother of all [something]”: Used to emphasize that something is the largest, most significant, or most extreme of its kind. Example: “This project will be the mother of all challenges.”
• “Like mother, like daughter”: A proverb suggesting similarities in behavior between a mother and her daughter.

Example Sentences

• Noun: “His mother taught him how to bake his first cake.”
• Figurative: “The company considers innovation to be the mother of their success.”
• Religious: “The faithful pray to the Virgin Mary, the mother of Christ.”

Synonyms

• Mom
• Mum
• Mama
• Ma
• Parent (female)
• Maternal figure
• Caregiver (in some cases)