mama

American  

[mah-muh, muh-mah] / ˈmɑ mə, məˈmɑ /

Also momma or mamma

noun

mamas plural

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.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• mamas
  plural

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” ( see mamma ²), French maman “mama,” Welsh mam “mother” (from unattested mammā )

Explanation

Mama is a kind of nickname for your mother, another way to say "mom" or "mommy." A very common first word for babies in nearly every country is mama. The ma sound shows up very early in a baby's babbling, and experts believe that's where mama originated. Nearly every Indo-European language has a word for "mother" that sounds like mama, including the Latin mamma, the Greek mamme, and the Persian mama. Plenty of older kids and even adults use the word too, as a fond nickname for their mother.

Example Sentences

Tell Mama, a group which monitors anti-Muslim hate, also passed evidence to counter-terror police and concluded that Direct Action appeared to be a Russian operation.

From BBC • Jun. 15, 2026

Iman Atta, director of Tell Mama, a national project which records anti-Muslim incidents in the UK, welcomed the updated targets, saying they signalled "a more accountable approach".

From BBC • May 15, 2026

My Mama Chela’s U.S. citizenship allowed all her children to come here legally.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

In 1955, Mama gave Lorna and me a choice: Stay in school or join her on the road.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 10, 2026

Mama and Tante Anna redoubled their cooking and sewing for the needy in the neighborhood, as though realizing how brief was anyone’s lifetime of service.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

Related Words

• female
• girl
• woman