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.

I’m a mother so I could wake up anytime between 6 to 8 a.m.

From Los Angeles Times • May 22, 2026

The court heard that Parker's behaviour had become "erratic" and he refused repeated attempts by his mother and sister to persuade him to get mental health support.

From BBC • May 22, 2026

Vivien’s 26-year-old daughter, Alice, is a food blogger who lives in the shadow of her mother, whom she visits as little as possible.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

Gabbard's mother, born on the US mainland, embraced Hinduism and raised her children in the tradition.

From Barron's • May 22, 2026

Her mother worked long hours, and when she had free time, she disappeared for days on end.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith

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!

mother

Frequently Asked Questions

Example Sentences

Related Words

Vocabulary lists containing mother

The Mother of All Lists: Mater, Matr