ENGLISH
REFERENCE

mums

n. countable
A1 Beginner US //ˈməmz// UK //mˈʌmz// mums

n. a casual name for your mother. You use this word when you are talking to her or about her with family.

n. an informal term for a mother, primarily used in British, Australian, and New Zealand English. Often used as a vocative or a proper noun within a family context.


SIMPLE

I need to call my mums to say happy birthday.

CONTEXTUAL

Both of our mums are coming to the school play this afternoon to watch us perform.

COMPLEX

While the term is predominantly used in the singular, children in families with two mothers often refer to them collectively as their mums to reflect their shared parental role.

Synonyms
Usage

Commonly capitalised when used as a proper name for one's own mother.

Pitfall

I love my mums.I love my mum.In British English, 'mums' is the plural form; use 'mum' without the 's' when referring to one mother.

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