Meanings
present singular third person mother-hens · participle present mother-henning · participle past mother-henned · past mother-henned
- intransitivetransitiveTo behave in an overprotective or extremely nurturing manner (towards).
Concerned for Diane's well-being, he mother-henned her constantly.
1997, Renon Klossner Hulet, Don't You Dare Give Up, page 2012 more examples
He watched as Jo mother-henned her entire family, including the kids, into the closed café.
2018, Patricia Rice, Rebel GirlThe two little ones were up on the sidewalk now, being mother-henned by two ladies with blue hair and eating ice cream.
2018, Erik Henry Vick, Demon KingSynonyms: hen
Synonyms & antonyms
verbTo behave in an overprotective or extremely nurturing manner (towards).
Cite this entry
mother-hen. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/mother-hen
“mother-hen.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/mother-hen. Accessed November 4, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “mother-hen,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/mother-hen.
Source: mother-hen on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.