mom test

noun

A method of asking open-ended questions to consumers about a product or business idea, in order to gain honest feedback.

Meanings

nounthe mom test
  1. CanadaUSbusinessA method of asking open-ended questions to consumers about a product or business idea, in order to gain honest feedback.

Origin

Coined by Rob Fitzpatrick in 2013. The idea is that someone could use the method against their own mother, despite the usual positive bias that she would have for her child's ideas.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

mom test. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/mom%20test

MLA

“mom test.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/mom%20test. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “mom test,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/mom%20test.

Source: mom test on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.