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

See Examples For:

den mother

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

For Seattle jazz musicians of the late 1940s, Thurlow was not only a respected singer but a hip den mother who made it her business to connect everyone on the scene.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 8, 2022

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

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

The phrase as a den mother is attached to Ms. Basset’s station wagon.

From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner