mamma
gb/mˈɑmə/ us/mˈɑmə/
A2
English
mama, anyu, anyuka, emlő, emlőmirigy
NOUN
A2
INFORMAL
1
Usage pattern:
(my/your/his/her) mamma; call [someone] mamma
I want my mamma—where did she go?
A mamámat akarom – hová ment?
His mamma picked us up after practice.
A mamája jött értünk edzés után.
She called her mamma to share the news.
Learner examples
My mamma is at home.
A mamám otthon van.
I love my mamma.
Szeretem a mamámat.
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse the spelling mamma with mama; both can mean “mother,” but mamma is less common in general writing.
Meaning
mother (childish or affectionate)
Collocations
my mamma
|his mamma
|ask mamma
|call your mamma
|mamma said
|go to mamma
|mamma and daddy
|stay with mamma
Synonyms
mom (Most common informal word in US English.)
|
mum (Most common informal word in UK/Aus/NZ English.)
|
mama (Very similar; often a more common spelling.)
|
mother (More neutral or formal.)
Antonyms
father (Opposite parent role.)
Themes
family
|relationships
|daily_life
Definition
A word children use for their mother.
A child’s word for a mother, also used as an affectionate or informal way to address or refer to one’s mother.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
2
emlő
C1
emlőmirigy
C1
Usage pattern:
[the] mamma; mammae (plural)
The diagram labels the mamma and the nipple separately.
Az ábra külön jelöli az emlőt és az emlőbimbót.
In many mammals, the mammae develop during pregnancy.
Sok emlősfajnál az emlőmirigyek a vemhesség alatt fejlődnek ki.
The report described normal mamma tissue on examination.
Common mistake:
Do not confuse mamma (breast/mother) with mammal or mammary (related words).
Meaning
a breast; mammary gland
Collocations
mammae (plural)
|mamma tissue
|mamma development
|mamma examination
|mamma anatomy
Synonyms
breast (Common everyday term; less technical.)
|
mammary gland (More precise anatomical term.)
Themes
health
|anatomy
|medicine
Definition
A medical word for a breast.
A breast, especially as an anatomical or medical term for the mammary gland (often plural mammae).
Grammar
Dictionary form
mamma
IPA
GB/mˈɑmə/
US/mˈɑmə/
Syllables & stress
mamma (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (mamma)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: mamma
- Plural: mammae, mammas
Word family
Expressions
mamma bear
1/mˈɑmə bˈɛɹ/
fixed phrase
informal
very protective mother
A mother who strongly protects her children.
Examples
- Don’t criticize her kids—she turns into a mamma bear.
- I can be a real mamma bear when someone is rude to my son.
- She went full mamma bear when the dog ran toward the stroller.
Learner examples
- She is a mamma bear.
mamma mia!
1/mˈɑmə mˈiə ‖/
fixed phrase
informal
exclamation of surprise or dismay
Something you say when you are very surprised.
Examples
- Mamma Mia! I can’t believe we made it in time.
- Mamma Mia—look at the size of that cake!
- Mamma Mia, what a mess.
Learner examples
- Mamma Mia! That is expensive.
mamma's boy
1/mˈæməz bˈɔɪ/
fixed phrase
informal
boy/man too dependent on mother
A man who depends too much on his mother.
Examples
- He’s a bit of a mamma’s boy and calls her every day.
- She teased him for being a mamma’s boy when he asked his mother’s advice.
- Stop acting like a mamma’s boy and decide for yourself.
Learner examples
- He is a mamma's boy.