mother figure
noun
an emotional substitute for one's mother, especially one who fulfills parental functions such as protection, authority, support, etc.
mother figures
-
pluralof mother figure.plural
The grammatical form denoting more than one person, place, thing, or idea.
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.
Rather, that contented knowing seasons the confidence with which O’Hara shaped all of her women, whether mothers or, like Patty Leigh in “The Studio,” mother figures.
From Salon ● Feb. 4, 2026
It’s hard to go wrong with celebrating the mother figures in your life with flowers.
From Seattle Times ● May 7, 2024
"People think that we wouldn't have anything else to be deceitful and lying. We're mother figures and I think I use that to my advantage."
From BBC ● Jan. 2, 2024
“The moment men start seeing woman as mother figures they forget that they have any duality outside of that and thing they can’t be multifaceted,” @smoldumblesbo tweeted .
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 6, 2023
As soon as his mother figures out how he’s finding solace, she brings him home the first book in the Bloodfall series from a shopping trip to Nashville, a recommendation from a bookstore employee.
From "The Serpent King" by Jeff Zentner
