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

Yes, the heart-shaped lips and resting pout do some heavy lifting to pull off the baseball-loving mama’s boy, but Butler’s authenticity is irrefutable.

From Salon • Aug. 29, 2025

He’s an insecure mama’s boy who desperately works to make himself into the type of guy who’ll be wanted and respected.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 2, 2024

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