mater
word
Definition
An old-fashioned or formal word for 'mother', sometimes used in British English or in historical/academic contexts.
Usage & Nuances
'Mater' is rare and mainly found in British English, often as humorous, ironic, or literary reference to one's mother. Not used in everyday speech; 'mum' or 'mother' are standard. Also appears in academic terms (e.g., 'alma mater').
Spanish: madre (forma arcaica o formal)Portuguese (BR): mãe (arcaico/formal)Portuguese (PT): mãe (arcaico/formal)Chinese (Simplified): 母親 (正式/文学用语)Chinese (Traditional): 母親 (正式/文學用語)Hindi: मातृ (औपचारिक/पुराना उपयोग)Arabic: أُمّ (رسمي أو قديم)Bengali: জননী (অপ্রচলিত)Russian: матушка (устар.)Japanese: 母上（古風/格式ばった言い方）Vietnamese: mẫu thân (trang trọng/cổ) - mẹ (lịch sử/văn học)Korean: 모친(母親) (격식적/옛날 표현)Turkish: valide (eski/kibarca) - anne (edebi/kaba değil)Urdu: والدہ (قدیم/ادبی)Indonesian: ibunda (formal/kuno)
Example Sentences
My mater made me breakfast this morning.
basic
His mater is visiting from London.
basic
You know how the mater gets if you're late for lunch.
natural
Back at school, the head mater was the strictest teacher I ever had.
natural
The mater called everyone to dinner.
basic
Whenever I got into trouble, the mater always knew before I said a word.
natural