mama

or mam·ma

[ mah-muh; muh-mah ]

noun

1. Informal. mother ¹.
2. Slang.
   1. a sexually attractive, usually mature woman.
   2. one's wife.

mama

/ məˈmɑː /

noun

1. old-fashioned.
   an informal word for mother 1

Word History and Origins

Origin of mama¹

First recorded in 1545–55; nursery word, with parallels in other European languages, probably in part inherited or borrowed, in part newly formed; compare Latin mamma, Greek mámmē “breast, mama” ( mamma ² ), French maman “mama,” Welsh mam “mother” (from unattested mammā )

Example Sentences

Then we go by and he sees, like, Viola Davis, and he says, ‘That’s mama.’

From Los Angeles Times

“Hey, little muffin! Look at you,” he cooed as tiny Finn was toted into the picture, smoosh-face and all, carried by mama Kylie.

From Los Angeles Times

Just like birthing mamas do in the throes of labor.

From Los Angeles Times

"He's walking - albeit it with a slightly funny gait - but he's walking. He can't talk but I think he's saying 'mama'... these small things are just amazing."

From BBC

“One Light, One Sun” implores its listeners to treat the Earth as precious, while “Everything Grows” explains that we are all ever-changing, even the “mamas” and “papas.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• grandmother
• mommy
• parent