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• mom
  mom

  noun

  a person’s mother or one’s mother.
• m.o.m.
  m.o.m.

  abbreviation

  middle of month.

Trivia Time

Mom jeans are typically characterized by what kind of waist?

Test Your Knowledge

mom

¹ American  

[mom] / mɒm /

noun

• moms
  plural

1. a person’s mother or one’s mother.

2. a term of endearment used to refer to a woman or girl who is admired: She came on stage at the beginning of the concert, and I was like, MOM.

   Obviously she has no kids, but she is such a mom.

   She came on stage at the beginning of the concert, and I was like, MOM.

   All her friends call her “mom” even though she just started middle school.

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adjective

1. beautiful or stylish; amazing; to be admired: She’s so mom in that movie.

   That outfit is mom!

   She’s so mom in that movie.

verb (used with object)

1. to act as a mother toward; act maternally toward, sometimes in an excessive way: I think I just got mommed by my cat.

   She just mommed me with advice.

   I think I just got mommed by my cat.

   She totally mommed those bullies.

2. to refer to (an admired woman or girl) as “mom”.

   My friends mommed the selfie I just posted.

verb (used without object)

1. to perform the tasks or duties of a female parent; act maternally, sometimes in an excessive way: She mommed out hard after I came home late.

   I like the way she moms.

   She mommed out hard after I came home late.

2. (of a woman or girl) to refer to an admired woman or girl as “mom”.

   Whenever I comment on photos of my friends, I mom.

m.o.m. ² American  

abbreviation

1. middle of month.

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mom British  

/ mɒm /

noun

1. an informal word for mother 1

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• moms
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of mom

First recorded in 1845–50; short for momma

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Explanation

Mom is what many Americans call their mothers. Mothers with young children hear this word about 10,000 times a day, usually all in a row. Mom. Mom. Mom. You get the idea. Mom is a very common informal word in the U.S. for “mother,” shortened from momma or mommy, an even more childish nickname for your mother. If you’re talking directly to your mom, using “mom” like a name, capitalize it – "Hi, Mom!" If you’re talking about her or another mom, don’t – "Hi, other person’s mom." In other English-speaking parts of the world, people might use mum instead.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

mom moms

"I don't know Spanish really well. I know it enough to speak to my mom consistently. So in that respect, I am a 'no sabo'."

From Barron's ● Nov. 5, 2026

My mom wanted almost her entire life to name her future daughter Moira, after her mother’s cousin Maura who lived in Northern Ireland.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 5, 2026

She sent it to her sister Whitney in Sweden as a Christmas gift idea for their Hallmark-movie-loving mom.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 4, 2026

My mom ended her night with one more text.

From Slate ● Nov. 4, 2026

Standing next to my mom is a small-framed Black woman with a kind smile and a determined gaze.

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold

To all the moms and dads volunteering, you’re the unsung heroes.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 11, 2026

If I were a member of Congress, I could introduce a bill with two clauses: one a statement supporting America’s moms, and another forcing everyone to eat kale.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 1, 2026

Not much is said about the other rude remark at school, or the evident fact that all the parents—dads and moms alike—are a gang of gossips.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 24, 2026

One parent reminisced about a group of moms who tried to throw a vegan sugar-free Halloween party at school, prompting a revolt from other parents who sent “over the top sugary treats” instead.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 16, 2026

The two moms greet each other and—holy moly—they really hit it off.

From "Blended" by Sharon M. Draper

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Related Words

• grandmother
• mommy
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