mama

American  

[mah-muh, muh-mah] / ˈmɑ mə, məˈmɑ /

Also momma or mamma

noun

1. Informal. mother.

2. Slang.

   1. a sexually attractive, usually mature woman.

   2. one's wife.

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mama British  

/ məˈmɑː /

noun

1. old-fashioned an informal word for mother 1

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Usage

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.

Etymology

Origin of mama

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

I remember everybody and their mama was talking about how great the script was and how they wanted to be on the show.

From Los Angeles Times

"Now you come here to ask me favors. But what were you but a raggedy, bare-bottomed little boy like all the rest once upon a time, crying for your mama when Sheba passed by?"

From Literature

My mama’s name is Ida, and even though our names are near-to-identical, my daddy says them real different.

From Literature

And I had to be a good mother like my own mama was.

From Literature

"I get to my mama's house and I saw some shampoo bottles on the table," Miller said in a post-fight interview in the ring.

From BBC

Related Words

• female
• girl
• woman