maternity
5 synonyms and 1 antonym for maternity, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The condition or period of being pregnant or being a new mother.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use maternity
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
maternity leave
maternity ward
maternity clothes
Etymology
From French maternité, from Latin māternitās.
Full origin of maternity →Frequently asked questions
What does “maternity” mean?
The word “maternity” means the condition or period of being pregnant or being a new mother. In plain terms, to do with being pregnant or having just given birth.
How do you pronounce “maternity”?
“Maternity” is pronounced muh-TUR-nih-tee (/məˈtɜɹnəti/ in IPA).
How do you use “maternity” in a sentence?
Here is “maternity” used in a sentence: “She took a year of maternity leave after her son was born.”
What is the opposite of “maternity”?
The opposite of “maternity” — its antonyms — is paternity.
What part of speech is “maternity”?
“Maternity” is a noun.
Where does the word “maternity” come from?
The word “maternity” comes from Latin. From French maternité, from Latin māternitās.
Is “maternity” a common word?
“Maternity” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “maternity” have?
“Maternity” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the condition or period of being pregnant or being a new mother.
What is the difference between maternity and paternity?
Maternity refers to the condition or period of being pregnant or being a new mother, while paternity refers to the state of being a father. Both terms are used similarly in contexts like leave from work, but they apply to opposite parents.
What is a maternity ward?
A maternity ward is the section of a hospital where babies are delivered, distinct from maternity in the sense of the condition of pregnancy or new motherhood itself. The ward is a physical location, while the other sense describes a life stage.
