Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Showing results for mother. Search instead for motverka.
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.

This week he helped a reader who manages a trust left for a sibling by their mother.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 17, 2026

Her mother was a teacher whose ancestors had fought for the North during the Civil War.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

A release date has not yet been issued for the film, which also features Newport-born Peaky Blinders star Aimee-Ffion Edwards as the mother, as well as Dr Who's Aneurin Barnard.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

Some are vignettes from Ms. Phillips’s early years, while others speak of her nomadic young adulthood, her parents’ divorce and their deaths, and her own experiences as a mother.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

“Before, you told me your mother had already planned the music for your graduation party. What was the first dance that she wanted?”

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse

Vocabulary lists containing mother

The Mother of All Lists: Mater, Matr

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!