# mother

/ˈməðɝ/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/mother
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. female parent

noun · CEFR A1

a woman who has a child, whether by giving birth, adoption, or fostering.

For teachers: a female parent, encompassing biological, adoptive, and foster relationships.

- She called her mother every Sunday to catch up on family news.
- The bond between a mother and her child is often cited as one of the most significant psychological foundations in early development.

### 2. source or origin

noun · CEFR B2

the place or thing that something else comes from.

For teachers: the source, origin, or primary cause of something; often used in personifications like 'Mother Nature'.

- Necessity is often called the mother of invention.
- The ancient city was considered the mother of all modern democratic institutions in the region.

### 3. religious title

noun · CEFR B2 · Formal

a title for a woman who is the head of a group of nuns.

For teachers: a title of respect for a female superior of a religious house, such as an abbess.

- The sisters waited for Mother Superior to begin the morning prayer.
- Mother Teresa became a global symbol of charity through her work with the poor in Calcutta.

### 4. extreme example

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

something that is the biggest or most impressive of its kind.

For teachers: an exceptionally large, powerful, or impressive example of something; frequently used in the construction 'the mother of all'.

- We got stuck in the mother of all traffic jams on the way home.
- The storm was the mother of all blizzards, shutting down the entire eastern seaboard for three days.

### 5. euphemism for vulgarity

noun · CEFR C1 · Slang · Vulgar

a rude word used to show anger or surprise, shortened from a stronger insult.

For teachers: a euphemistic shortening of 'motherfucker', used as an interjection or to refer to a difficult person or object.

- That was a tough mother of an exam.
- He dropped the heavy crate on his toe and yelled 'you mother' before he could stop himself.

### 6. vinegar culture

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a thick substance that grows in fermenting liquids like cider to turn them into vinegar.

For teachers: a mucilaginous substance consisting of acetobacters that develops in fermenting alcoholic liquids.

- You can use the mother from this bottle to start your own vinegar.
- The presence of the mother in the unpasteurised cider indicated that the fermentation process was progressing naturally.

### 7. to care for

verb · CEFR B1

to look after someone with great care and affection, like a parent does.

For teachers: to treat someone with the care, affection, or protection associated with a mother.

- She tends to mother her younger brother, even though he is now an adult.
- The veteran nurse had a tendency to mother the new interns, ensuring they were well-fed during their long shifts.

### 8. to give birth to

verb · CEFR B2

to be the female parent who produces a child or offspring.

For teachers: to bring forth or produce as a mother; to give birth to.

- The prize-winning cow has mothered six healthy calves.
- She mothered three children while simultaneously managing a demanding career in international law.

## Examples

- My mother is a very kind person.
- She decided to call her mother every Sunday to catch up on family news.
- The bond between a mother and her infant is often described as the foundational relationship for a child's emotional development.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.