mother figure

American  

[muhth-er fig-yer] / ˈmʌð ər ˌfɪg yər /

noun

1. an emotional substitute for one's mother, especially one who fulfills parental functions such as protection, authority, support, etc.

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Etymology

Origin of mother figure

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

Like that earlier work, “The Thanksgiving Visitor” is also drawn from Capote’s boyhood within a clan of eccentric relatives that included an older cousin and mother figure known as Sook.

From The Wall Street Journal

But Hrka, who has attended countless demonstrations alongside the students, has embraced her role as a mother figure to the protest movement.

From Barron's

He says he “misses a mother figure ... but I think what she’s going through is deserved.”

From Los Angeles Times

You age regress and look for a strong father or mother figure or other authoritarian leader to tell you what to do.

From Salon

It’s hard to go wrong with celebrating the mother figures in your life with flowers.

From Seattle Times