materfamilias
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of materfamilias
First recorded in 1750–60; from Latin; cf. paterfamilias
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The film earned five Oscar nominations, including a best supporting actress nod for the veteran Billie Burke as the materfamilias of a wealthy but wacky family.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 28, 2026
The novel recounts the history and hardships of the Binewski clan, carnival folk whose pater- and materfamilias, Al and Crystal Lil, create their own freak show.
From Washington Post ● Nov. 11, 2022
That loyalty can also be, at times, very foolish, to the extent where even Goodfellas materfamilias Karen Hill would question such irrational devotion.
From The Guardian ● Oct. 11, 2016
In Mr. Konchalovsky’s film Jill Clayburgh plays a Manhattan journalist who treks into the deep Louisiana bayou to interview relatives, among them a flinty materfamilias played by Barbara Hershey.
From New York Times ● Jun. 2, 2012
What if materfamilias, with her quick sure instincts and honest innocent eyes, do more towards their expulsion by simply looking at them and calling them by their names?
From The Letters of Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Volume II by Sir Frederic G. (Frederic George) Kenyon
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