Word
motherland
Phoneticsmoth·er·land, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈməðɝˌɫænd/
UK/mˈʌðələnd/
Definitions
01native country
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Literary
n. the country where you were born or where your family comes from.
n. the country of one's birth or ancestry, often used to express deep emotional or nationalistic attachment.
“After living abroad for twenty years, he finally returned to his motherland.”
“The poet wrote extensively about the rolling hills and ancient traditions of his motherland, reflecting a deep sense of cultural belonging.”
Usage
Usually used with a possessive pronoun like 'my' or 'their'.
Teaching tip
While 'homeland' is more neutral, 'motherland' often implies a protective or nurturing emotional bond; note that some cultures prefer 'fatherland'.
Synonyms
02colonial origin
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Formal · Academic
n. a country that has colonies in other parts of the world.
n. the country of origin of a group of settlers or the dominant power in a colonial relationship.
“The settlers maintained the legal traditions they had brought from the motherland.”
“Economic policies were often dictated by the motherland, sometimes to the detriment of the local colonial population's interests.”
Usage
Often used in historical or political contexts regarding empires.
Teaching tip
In modern academic writing, 'metropole' or 'mother country' is sometimes preferred to avoid the gendered personification of the state.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *méh₂tēr Proto-Germanic *mōdēr Proto-West Germanic *mōder Old English mōdor Middle English moder English mother English land English motherland From mother + land.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- 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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QR code
englishreference.com/q/motherland