mother figure

Meanings

nounmother figure (plural mother figures)

One (especially an older woman) who behaves as, is regarded as equivalent to, or represents a mother for another person or group of people.

Dutch moederfiguur

moederfiguurone who behaves as, is regarded as equivalent to, or represents a mother

Finnish äitihahmo

äitihahmoone who behaves as, is regarded as equivalent to, or represents a mother

French figure maternelle

figure maternelleone who behaves as, is regarded as equivalent to, or represents a mother

German Mutterfigur

Mutterfigurone who behaves as, is regarded as equivalent to, or represents a mother

Polish autorytet

autorytetone who behaves as, is regarded as equivalent to, or represents a mother

Portuguese figura materna

figura maternaone who behaves as, is regarded as equivalent to, or represents a mother

Spanish figura materna / maternal

figura materna / maternalone who behaves as, is regarded as equivalent to, or represents a mother

Swedish modersfigur, modersgestalt

modersfigurone who behaves as, is regarded as equivalent to, or represents a mother
modersgestaltone who behaves as, is regarded as equivalent to, or represents a mother

Welsh ffigwr mamol

ffigwr mamolone who behaves as, is regarded as equivalent to, or represents a mother

Cite this entry

APA

mother figure. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/mother%20figure

MLA

“mother figure.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/mother%20figure. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “mother figure,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/mother%20figure.