Mother Hubbard

American  

[huhb-erd] / ˈhʌb ərd /

noun

1. a full, loose gown, usually fitted at the shoulders, worn by women.

2. a character in a nursery rhyme.

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Mother Hubbard British  

/ ˈhʌbəd /

noun

1. (sometimes not capitals) a woman's full-length unbelted dress

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Etymology

Origin of Mother Hubbard

C19: after Mother Hubbard, a character in a nursery rhyme

Example Sentences

“Old Mother Hubbard went to the cupboard and there wasn’t nothing there,” he said earlier this month as the final stretch arrived before the early signing day Dec. 20.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 30, 2023

Margaret Brown, a pickpocket known as Old Mother Hubbard, was featured in an 1886 publication, Professional Criminals of North America.

From The Guardian • Jan. 14, 2021

Had Old Mother Hubbard been able to check what Jim Mora left in UCLA's talent cupboard, we might have had college football's first nursery rhyme.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 14, 2018

We may be forced to live like Mother Hubbard.

From New York Times • Nov. 9, 2017

Mother Hubbard shook her head and pointed to the moors.

From Windyridge by Riley, W.