# stepmother

/ˈstɛpˌməðɝ/ (US) · /stˈɛpmʌðɐ/ (UK) · CEFR A2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/stepmother
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

the woman who is married to your father or mother but is not your biological parent. She becomes part of your family after a parent remarries.

For teachers: the wife of one's father or the female spouse of one's parent, where no biological relationship exists between the woman and the child.

## Examples

- My stepmother and I go shopping every Saturday morning.
- After his father remarried, he spent several months getting to know his new stepmother before they moved in together.
- The legal rights of a stepmother regarding her spouse's children vary significantly by jurisdiction, often requiring formal adoption to establish full parental authority.

## Usage notes

- Countable; follows standard pluralization rules ('stepmothers').

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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.