Search Dictionary
Definition of stepmother

stepmother

/ˈstɛpˌmʌð.ɚ/
step · moth · er
Plural:stepmothers
•
Adjective:stepmotherly
•
Past Simple:stepmothered
•
Past Participle:stepmothered
•
Present Participle:stepmothering
JUMP TO:

stepmother Lexical Profile

stepmother Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A woman who is married to one's parent after the divorce of one's parents or the death of one's mother.

Example

"After her father remarried, she developed a warm and supportive relationship with her new stepmother."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for stepmother
Antonyms
View all antonyms for stepmother

• verb

1

To act as a stepmother to a child.

Example

"She lovingly stepmothered his two young children from his previous marriage."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for stepmother

• Nearby Words

stephens banded snake
stepladder
stepmom
stepmother
stepmotherly
stepparent
stepparenting

Word Origin & Etymology

From Old English steopmoder, formed from the prefix steop- (related to a Germanic root meaning 'bereaved' or 'orphaned') and moder ('mother'), originally denoting a woman who became a mother to an orphaned child.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Stepmother. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/stepmother
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.