mama

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Informal · Dialect

n. a respectful or friendly way to address a woman, especially an older one.

n. a term of address for a woman, often used to show respect to an elder or familiarity within certain communities.

“Excuse me, mama, could you tell me where the nearest bus stop is?”

“In many Caribbean communities, addressing an older woman as 'mama' is a sign of deep cultural respect rather than a claim of kinship.”

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Slang · Informal

n. a slang word for an attractive woman or a girlfriend.

n. a slang term for a sexually attractive woman or a romantic partner, such as a wife or girlfriend.

“He called his girlfriend 'hot mama' as a playful compliment.”

“The lyrics of the song used 'mama' as a generic term of endearment for a beautiful woman the singer encountered at a club.”

B1 · Intermediate Informal

interj. a word used to show you are surprised, impressed, or excited.

interj. an exclamation used to express a range of emotions including surprise, joy, or approval; frequently preceded by 'oh'.

“Oh mama, that is the biggest cake I have ever seen.”

“When the fireworks finally erupted over the harbour, a collective 'oh mama' rose from the impressed crowd.”