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

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

“Your mama is more fragile than people think. And since your grandma died, there’s been nobody lookin’ out for her.”

From Literature

Bystanders gathered, with one asking, “Would your mama be proud of you right now?”

From Salon

This might come as a shock to your mama and papa, since your family was friends with us Warnes for so long.

From Literature

Related Words

• female
• girl
• woman