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noun A1 Beginner Common

mommy

MOM-ee

Mommy (noun) means Mother, especially as used by or to a young child. Example: “The toddler ran to hug her mommy.”

noun
1
Mother, especially as used by or to a young child.
"The toddler ran to hug her mommy."
"Mommy, can we go to the park?"

How to use mommy

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA child's or affectionate word for "mother."

When to use it

Used mainly by or to young children; using it in adult conversation about someone else's mother can sound overly cute or, in some slang contexts, has taken on other informal meanings.

UK vs US

American English; the British equivalent is "mummy."

Word forms

mommier comparative, mommied past tense, mommies plural, mommies singular, mommiest superlative

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The toddler ran to hug her _____.

Etymology

Formed from "mom" plus the diminutive "-y" ending, in the same pattern as "daddy" from "dad."

Related words

Rhymes for mommy

See all rhymes for mommy →

Frequently asked questions

What does “mommy” mean?

The word “mommy” means mother, especially as used by or to a young child. In plain terms, a child's or affectionate word for "mother.".

How do you pronounce “mommy”?

“Mommy” is pronounced MOM-ee (/ˈmɒm.i/ in IPA).

How do you use “mommy” in a sentence?

Here is “mommy” used in a sentence: “The toddler ran to hug her mommy.”

What part of speech is “mommy”?

“Mommy” is a noun.

Is “mommy” a common word?

“Mommy” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.

What is the difference between 'mommy' and 'mom'?

Both are affectionate, informal words for mother, but 'mommy' is more childlike and typically used by or to young children, while 'mom' is used across all ages. Children often shift from 'mommy' to 'mom' as they grow older.

What is the difference between 'mommy' and 'mummy'?

In the sense of mother, 'mommy' is the American English spelling and 'mummy' is the British English equivalent; both are affectionate terms used mainly by young children. ('Mummy' separately means a preserved body, which is an unrelated meaning.)

Is 'mommy' formal or informal?

'Mommy' is very informal and affectionate, used almost entirely by or toward young children within a family. In formal writing or speech, 'mother' is the standard term.

What is the plural of 'mommy'?

The plural of 'mommy' is 'mommies,' changing the -y to -ies as with other nouns ending in a consonant plus y.

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