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

Ahead of a tell-all show at the Corn Exchange in Brighton, Stephens described his 20s as a “whirlwind” in which Rizzle Kicks had hits including Down With the Trumpets and Mama Do the Hump.

From BBC

Their debut album was the UK's best-selling record of 2004, earning them three Brit Awards and further chart hits with larger-than-life pop anthems such as Take Your Mama and Filthy/Gorgeous.

From BBC

Power formed Cast after leaving indie darlings The La's in 1991 and the band went on to have several top ten hits, including Sandstorm, Walkaway, Guiding Star and Beat Mama.

From BBC

Country superstar Jelly Roll gave an outstanding rendition of Osbourne’s "Mama, I’m Coming Home".

From BBC

Big Mama Thornton, Etta James and Albert Collins were just a few of the blues greats who frequently played at the Belly Up during the disco era.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• grandmother
• mommy
• parent