Mother
/ˈmʌðər/
nounverbA1
Definition
A mother is a woman who has a baby or child. She often takes care of, loves, and protects her children. As a verb, to mother means to look after someone with care and kindness, like a mother cares for her child.
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See It in Action
Female parent of a child
- •My mother cooks delicious meals every day.
- •She is a mother of three children.
- •The mother held her baby close to her chest.
To care for someone as a mother does (verb)
- •She mothers her little brother when their parents are away.
- •The nurse mothered the sick child with great kindness.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "mother" like "parent" (A1 word), but specifically a female parent who gives birth or cares deeply
- ✓Picture a woman holding a baby gently in her arms, smiling and protecting the child
- ✓It's the feeling of love, safety, and warmth you get from someone who helps you grow and feel safe
- ✓Sounds like "MUTH-er" → Imagine a soft voice saying "Mum" or "Mom," which are similar words for mother
- ✓Remember stories or movies where a mother protects her child no matter what, like a superhero of love
- ✓NOT like "father" (male parent), "mother" is female and often the first caregiver
- ✓As a verb, NOT like "ignore" or "leave"—to mother means to give careful attention and love
- ✓As a noun, NOT like "teacher" or "friend"—mother has a special family and emotional role
Try Other Words
- •Mom: a more casual or familiar word for mother (Use in everyday speech)
- •Parent: a person who has a child (Use when talking about mother or father together)
- •Care for: to look after someone (Use when "mother" is a verb meaning to take care)
- •Guardian: a person who protects or looks after a child (Use when the person is not the biological mother but cares like one)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "mother" is a whole root word, no prefix or suffix
- •Etymology: From Old English "modor," meaning female parent
- •Historical development: The word has been used for many centuries to mean a female parent and caretaker
- •Modern usage: Used both as a noun for female parent and as a verb meaning to care for someone like a mother
- •Interesting fact: Many languages have similar sounding words for mother, like "madre" in Spanish or "maman" in French
Reflect & Connect
•How do different cultures show the role of a mother in family life?
•Can someone who is not a biological mother still be called a mother? Why or why not?
Fill in the blanks
1.A mother usually ___ her children with love and care every day.
2.When the baby cried, the mother ___ her arms to hold it gently.
3.Unlike a father, a mother is usually the ___ female parent in a family.
4.When someone says "mom," they often mean the same as ___.
5.To mother someone means to ___ them like a mother would.
6.A mother often feels ___ when her child is happy or sad.
7.If a woman takes care of a child who is not hers, she can still ___ the child like a mother.