Meaning & use
mom figure
Last updated
UK/ˈmɒm ˌfɪɡə/
US/ˈmɑːm ˌfɪɡjər/
Meaning
nouncountable
A woman who takes on the role of a mother for someone, often when the biological mother is absent.
Grammar: Used with 'a' or in the plural: 'a mom figure', 'mom figures'.
Patterns
- a mom figure to someone
- a mom figure for someone
After her own mother died, her aunt became a mom figure to her.
Many children in foster care need a caring mom figure in their lives.
He described his grandmother as the mom figure who raised him.
Word forms
| plural | mom figures |
|---|
Common combinations
- a strong mom figure
- She was a strong mom figure for her younger siblings.
- a mom figure to someone
- The teacher became a mom figure to many of her students.
- a substitute mom figure
- The orphanage staff served as substitute mom figures.
Synonyms and how they differ
- mother figure
- The more formal and common term in British English and in academic writing.
- surrogate mother
- A more specific term, usually meaning a woman who carries a child for another person, not just a caring role.
Opposites
dad figure
Practice
What is a 'mom figure'?
Choose one answer.
A mom figure is a woman who takes on a mother's role, not a toy or drawing. The family business option is unrelated.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “mom figure”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
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