den mother

American  

noun

1. (in the Boy Scouts) a woman who serves as an adult leader or supervisor of a cub scout den.

2. Informal. a woman who serves as an adviser or protector to a group of people.

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Etymology

Origin of den mother

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

Poised over everyone like a den mother is Susie Wiles, his chief of staff, who reads Mr. Trump’s moods impeccably.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 26, 2026

Christina Ricci, who notably played Wednesday in the 1991 film "The Addams Family," also makes an appearance as Marylin Thornhill, a den mother to the female students at Nevermore Academy.

From Salon • Oct. 31, 2022

Long single and something of a den mother to a coterie of mainly male writers, Ms. Kaufman was in the middle of a short-lived, tumultuous marriage that was endangering her business.

From New York Times • Apr. 14, 2022

Nancy Harman, a lead organizer with Helping El Cajon Refugees, is an unofficial den mother for those who have arrived there over the years.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 30, 2021

Bronwyn acted as den mother, rounding us up every time one of us strayed to get a closer look at a stall of brightly colored pinwheels or steaming boiled candy.

From "Hollow City" by Ransom Riggs