Search Dictionary
Definition of foremother

foremother

/ˈfɔːrˌmʌð.ɚ/
fore · moth · er
Plural:foremothers
JUMP TO:

foremother Lexical Profile

foremother Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A female ancestor or progenitor of a family, community, or people.

Example

"She traced the traditions of her village back to the stories passed down by her foremothers."

2

A female pioneer, founder, or influential predecessor in an intellectual, artistic, or social movement.

Example

"Mary Wollstonecraft is widely celebrated as an intellectual foremother of modern feminist philosophy."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for foremother
Antonyms
View all antonyms for foremother

• Nearby Words

foreman
forementioned
foremost
foremother
forename
forenoon
forensic

Word Origin & Etymology

Recorded since Middle English (around the late 14th century) from the prefix fore- ('before in time') and mother, patterned directly after forefather.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Foremother. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/foremother
Built for writers, students, and competitive word game players, Wordmom combines an uncluttered English dictionary and thesaurus with fast, pattern-based word finders so you can verify definitions, synonyms, and high-scoring tile plays in one place.
Word Games & Solvers
Word FinderScrabble Word FinderWords With Friends CheatWordle SolverAnagram Solver
Dictionary & Reference
DictionarySynonymsAntonymsWords
Community
Contact UsEditorial PolicyPrivacy PolicyTerms and Conditions
© 2016–2026 Wordmom Network. All rights reserved. Made with for word lovers everywhere.
Disclaimer: SCRABBLE® is a registered trademark. All intellectual property rights in and to the game are owned in the U.S.A. and Canada by Hasbro Inc., and throughout the rest of the world by J.W. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro. Words With Friends® is a registered trademark of Zynga Inc. Wordle® is a registered trademark of The New York Times Company. Other referenced game titles and tournament lexicon codes (including NASPA NWL and WESPA/HarperCollins CSW) are trademarks of their respective owners. Wordmom is an independent reference utility for educational and entertainment purposes and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Hasbro, Mattel, Spear, Zynga, The New York Times Company, NASPA, WESPA, or HarperCollins Publishers. All game names are referenced strictly under nominative fair use to indicate compatibility.