Mother Definition Mother Definition 1

Mother (noun) — a woman, a part of the family, who provides birth and parental care to kids.

Part of speech:
Noun (countable)
Phonetic transcription (IPA):
/ˈmʌð.ɚ/
CEFR level:
A1
Word frequency:

How to Pronounce “Family”

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Tips for “mother” pronunciation: 

The stress falls on the first part ma, then comes a soft th, with the ending er with a slight last sound.

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How to Use “Mother” in a Sentence?

Explore more than the “mother” definition but how this important word is used in everyday communication.

My mother teaches me how to cook every day.
Susan became a mother! I am so happy for her.
It is my mother’s birthday. Let’s FaceTime her as a surprise.
His mother asked Tom to clean the kitchen.
We know Martha. She is the most loving mother.

What Are Synonyms for the Word “Mother”?

There are many ways to talk about these important people, so let’s learn some “mother” synonyms.

Related nouns: parent caregiver family

Synonyms (contextual): mom mama mommy

Common collocations: working mother caring mother meet a mother

“Mother” Word Formation and Description in Context

It is not common to use this term alone. It is typically surrounded by other words to express thoughts and feelings better.

With adjectives: young mother proud mother expecting mother

With verbs: love a mother help a mother thank a mother

With nouns (noun + noun): mother tongue mother figure

Idioms and Interesting Phrases with “Mother”

There are some phrases that can change the meaning of “mother” or use the direct definition.

  • Like mother, like daughter — means that a mom and her daughter are alike.

    No one was surprised that Susie would love books as much as her mama. Like a mother, like a daughter.
Mother Idioma Mother Idioma 1

There are some phrases that can change the meaning of “mother” or use the direct definition.

  • The mother of all — an example of something big.

    Wow, this apple is the mother of all. We need like 3 people to finish it.
  • At mother’s knee — means when a person was a little child.

    I speak three languages because I learned them at my mother’s knee.

Test Your Knowledge of “Mother” Meaning

Check how well you memorized the “mother” definition, synonyms, and some special phrases.

Type 1: True/false statements:
Choose the correct answer:
1
A mother is one of the parents.
2
“Mother tongue” means the language your mother invented.
3
The word “mother” has two syllables.
Type 2: Right word order:
Put these chaotic words in order:
1
mother
my
I
love
2
a
She
wonderful
is
mother
3
his
called
He
mother
yesterday
Type 3: Choose the correct option
Select the one closest in meaning:
1
English is not his mother tongue. It means that English…
2
Olivia became a mother last month. So, she…
3
She is just like her mother. How can you say it in an idiom?

Enjoy personalized learning!

“Mother” Word in Other Languages

Let’s see how to spell “mother” in three languages that can expand your cultural knowledge.

Language Word for “Mother”
Flag Spanish Spanish   Madre
Flag French French   Mère
Flag German German   Mutter

Did You Know It? Fun Facts About “Mother”

Would you like to uncover surprising facts about this term? You can also memorize the word better.

  • In 1846, a mother, Giantess Anna Bates, gave birth to the heaviest baby.

    It is stated in the Guinness World Records that the baby was 9.98 kg and 71.2 cm.
  • Human and animal mothers are defensive across the world.

    Mothers are extremely reactive when it comes to protecting their kids, even a squirrel, hearing rattlesnakes, will go protective.
  • Mother’s Day is celebrated worldwide on different days.

    In the US, it is the second Sunday in May every year, while in the UK, it is known as “Mothering Sunday” and is celebrated on the fourth Sunday in March.
  • Motherhood is represented in art and mythology in many cultures.

    Across history, mothers have been shown as symbols of care, strength and protection in stories, traditions and national holidays around the world.

Famous Quotes Featuring “Mother”

You can be moved by these quotes from famous authors who speak about mothers and their roles.

“All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.”

Abraham Lincoln

Explanation: It states that his mother shaped who he became and had a large influence on his personality.

“Our mothers always remain the strangest, craziest people we’ve ever met.”

— Marguerite Duras

Explanation: The quote seems funny, but if we think about it, even the closest people can be complicated and unknown to us.

“My mother… she is beautiful, softened at the edges and tempered with a spine of steel. I want to grow old and be like her.”

— Jodi Picoult

Explanation: You learned the collocation “mother figure,” and you can see it here, as the mother in this quote is a role model.