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Stepmother - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

A stepmother is a woman who marries one’s parent after the death or divorce of the other parent. She may help raise children but is not their biological mother.

stepmother

/ˈstɛpˌmʌðɚ/ /ˈstɛpˌmʌðə/

Definition:

A woman who is married to one's father but is not one's biological mother.

Synonyms:

stepmom, stepmama, stepmother figure

Part of Speech:

noun

Antonyms:

biological mother, birth mother

Common Collocations:

wicked stepmother, loving stepmother, stepmother relationship, stepmother role

Derivatives:

stepmotherly, stepmotherhood

Usage Tips:

Use "stepmother" to refer to a father’s wife who is not the biological parent; avoid confusion with "adoptive mother."

Common Phrases:

wicked stepmother, like a stepmother, evil stepmother

Etymology:

From Old English "steop-" (related to orphanhood) + "modor," meaning a mother by marriage rather than birth.

Examples:

  • 1. Her stepmother helped her with homework every evening.
  • 2. Cinderella’s stepmother treated her unkindly in the fairy tale.
  • 3. My stepmother and father got married last summer.
  • 4. She baked cookies with her loving stepmother on weekends.

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