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.

---

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 • Nov. 21, 2025

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 • Nov. 17, 2025

As a working mom as well as a mother figure to Beyoncé’s bandmate Kelly Rowland and niece Angie Beyincé, Knowles persevered to open a hair salon for professional Black women in Houston.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2025

It is now a contest between an impulsive and aggressive father archetype and a very different archetype: the strong, no-nonsense, but compassionate working mother figure.

From Slate • Aug. 18, 2024

“Vivian is like a mother figure to you. Grandmother, great-grandmother—whatever. She listens to you, she tells you stories, lets you help her out. She makes you feel needed.”

From "Orphan Train" by Christina Baker Kline