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

Nam said she’d received texts from parents who claimed the bear was one of a group seen in the area that included a mama bear and another cub.

From Los Angeles Times

Pascal in mama mode says, “My son don’t have ADD! He just like to jump!”

From Salon

But the narrator rebels against her mother's oppression: "Oh mama, I'm just having fun/On the stage in my heels/It's where I belong."

From Salon

He’s an insecure mama’s boy who desperately works to make himself into the type of guy who’ll be wanted and respected.

From Los Angeles Times

As a freelancer single mama, I could finally afford an actual house by cashing out some Tesla stock for a down payment.

From Salon

Related Words

• grandmother
• mommy
• parent

More About Mama

What does mama mean?

Mama is an informal word for mother.

Mama can also be spelled momma and mamma. Mama is informal, and it’s often used by young children, much like the word mommy. Adults also sometimes use mama to refer to their mothers, especially when they have a close relationship.

The word can be used as a title for one’s mother, as in You should call Mama, and as a way to address her, as in Hi, Mama—happy Mother’s Day! In these two uses, the word is usually capitalized since it’s used like a proper name.

Mama can also be used as an informal way to refer to one’s mother, as in You should call your mama. 

Call your mama whatever you want—just remember to call her.

Where does mama come from?

The first records of the word mama come from the 1500s, but it was certainly used in speech much earlier than that. The word for mother in many languages around the world begins with the m sound, which is one of the first sounds babies learn how to make. In mama, the syllable ma is reduplicated, which is a fancy way of saying it’s said twice. This is very common in the speech of young children—the same thing happens in the word dada, the baby word for “daddy.”

Using the word mama often implies a closeness between a person and their mother, as well as a sense of respect. A mother may even use it to refer to herself, as in You have all made me such a proud mama. To which you would say: I love you, Mama!

Sometimes, the word mama is used as a slang term to refer to an attractive woman, especially an older one (perhaps one who is a mother, though not always), as in I was one hot mama in my day, let me tell you.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to mama?

• momma (alternate spelling)
• mamma (alternate spelling)

What are some synonyms for mama?

• mommy
• mom
• mother

What are some words that share a root or word element with mama? 

 

• mom
• ma
• mama’s boy

 

What are some words that often get used in discussing mama?

 

• good
• proud
• family
• child
• parent

How is mama used in real life?

Mama is always used informally, and it’s often affectionate.

A photo of me w/ my family during my high school graduation. This was my proudest in my life at that point. I remember my mama crying as we arrived at the ceremony because she put us through school herself and I would be the first one attending college in America… pic.twitter.com/UFgdXNum6j

— RUBY IBARRA (@rubyibarra) May 22, 2020

One thing I will always be sure of, is that I am a GREAT mama. Definitely not perfect, but I definitely rock at being a mother.

— m e l a n i (@mamamellll) April 9, 2020

Drink water, mind your business, and listen to your mama more.

— Honeyᵕ̈ (@thehannyazzahra) April 10, 2017

 

 

Try using mama!

True or False? 

Mama should be capitalized when it’s used to address someone directly, as in Thank you, Mama.