Word
mothering
Phoneticsmoth·er·ing, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈməðɝɪŋ/
UK/mˈʌðəɹɪŋ/
Definition
v. to care for someone in a warm, protective way, like a mother cares for a child. You use it for kind care, and sometimes for too much care.
v. to nurture or protect someone with maternal care and attention; often implies close, attentive or at times overprotective care.
Examples
“She is mothering her young son with great care.”
“After the surgery, his sister spent weeks mothering him, cooking meals and checking his medication.”
“Her mothering extended beyond her own children to every stray animal and lonely neighbour who crossed her path.”
Examples
simple
“She is mothering her young son with great care.”
contextual
“After the surgery, his sister spent weeks mothering him, cooking meals and checking his medication.”
complex
“Her mothering extended beyond her own children to every stray animal and lonely neighbour who crossed her path.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “mothering” in context.
Verb
01. complain about mothering
“He often complains about his manager's mothering of the team.”
verb + prep + noun
02. enjoy mothering
“She genuinely enjoys mothering her large family and close friends.”
verb + noun
03. mothering helps
“Gentle, constant mothering helps premature babies feel safe.”
noun + verb
04. mothering smothers
“At times her mothering smothers more than it supports.”
noun + verb
05. need mothering
“After surgery, he admitted he still needed a lot of mothering.”
verb + noun
06. resent mothering
“He began to resent all the mothering from his older sister.”
verb + noun
Adjective
07. excessive mothering
“Her teenage son started to rebel against her excessive mothering.”
adj + noun
08. gentle mothering
“She remembered her grandmother's gentle mothering with great affection.”
adj + noun
09. overprotective mothering
“Overprotective mothering can stop children learning to be independent.”
adj + noun
Noun
10. bit of mothering
“We all need a bit of mothering when we are ill.”
noun + prep + noun
11. could do with mothering
“After a long, tiring week, I could do with some mothering.”
12. mothering instinct kicks in
“Whenever a new student arrives, her mothering instinct kicks in.”
Usage
The verb is transitive and takes a direct object, often a person receiving care.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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