mama's boy

American  

noun

1. a boy or man showing excessive attachment to or dependence on his mother.

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mama's boy Idioms  

1. A sissy, especially a boy or man excessively attached to his mother. For example, The children called Tom a mama's boy because he ran home with every little problem. This sexist expression has survived despite its pejorative tone. [Colloquial; mid-1800s]

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Etymology

Origin of mama's boy

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

Domingo was a mama’s boy and the shyest of his siblings.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 10, 2026

The self-proclaimed mama’s boy and former pro basketball player who now works as a day trader will become only the second Black lead of the series, which launched in 2002.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 12, 2024

I'm a mama's boy all the way, and she told me, she didn't care what I became, she didn't care what I did.

From Salon • Jun. 25, 2023

Actor-comedian Anthony Anderson is a proud mama’s boy and loves to dote on his mother, Doris.

From Washington Times • Jun. 23, 2023

And the key to it all was the fact that he was a mama’s boy.

From "The Boy in the Black Suit" by Jason Reynolds