grandmother
Language: English
Part of speech: noun
Pronunciation: ipa: /ˈɡɹæn(d)ˌmʌðə(r)/
ipa: /ˈɡɹænˌmʌðə/
ipa: /ˈɡɹæn(d)ˌmʌðɚ/
Forms: form: grandmothers
form: grand-mother
Etymology: From Middle English graundmodre, grauntmoder, granmoder; equivalent to grand- + mother. Compare French grand-mère. Superseded earlier eldmother, eldermother.
Senses: examples: text: […] man may admit that his grandfathers and grandmothers were mon[keys a]nd monkeyesses if he want^([sic]) to; that is his privilege.
ref: 1923 May 17, “ […] Advertiser and Mr. Bryan”, in The Progressive Age, Scottsboro, Ala.: James S. Benson, page [4]:
text: "It's a nightingale floor," our grandmother told us. "It warns us of thieves in the night."
ref: 2018, Michael Ondaatje, Warlight, →ISBN, page 13:
text: “Not only is it showing that the brain of grandmothers is activated with grandparenting, it also shows that the parental brain areas are activated late in life, or perhaps are always activated. Once a mother, always a mother,” Pawluski said.
ref: 2021 November 19, Madeline Holcombe, “Is your mom warmer with her grandkids than with you? A new study says blame biology”, in CNN:
text: Viral YouTuber and grandmother Shirley Curry, better known as ‘Skyrim Grandma’ is finally playing another Bethesda RPG after nine years.
ref: 2025 June 2, Michael Gwilliam, “89-year-old Skyrim Grandma switches to another RPG after 9 years”, in Dexerto:
glosses: A mother of someone's parent.
glosses: A female ancestor or progenitor.
examples: text: "Enter ayahuasca, the mystical grandmother of the psychedelic family, a beacon of profound spiritual experiences"
ref: 2025, AJ Murillo, The Beginner's Guide to Ego Death Expand Your Mind Through Psychedelic Exploration, →ISBN, page 125:
glosses: In Amazonian shamanism and related contexts, a reverential name for the ayahuasca vine or brew, symbolizing its role as a wise, guiding spirit.
Synonyms: word: abuela
word: baba
word: babcia
word: babulya /babulia (chiefly in Eastern European (especially Russian) contexts)
word: babushka
word: babusia
word: babusya /babusia
word: beldame
word: bubbe
word: eldermother
word: eldmother
word: gammy
word: gram
word: gramma
word: grammy
word: gran
word: grandam
word: grandma
word: grandma'am
word: grandmamma
word: grandmammy
word: grandmaw
word: grandmom
word: grandmomma
word: grandmommy
word: grandmother
word: grandmum
word: grandmumma
word: grandmummy
word: Grandmummy
word: grannam
word: granny
word: granum
word: mamaw
word: mamgu
word: mammaw
word: meemaw
word: memaw
word: meme
word: mimi
word: mommom
word: nan
word: nana
word: Nana
word: nanna
word: nanny
word: nonna
word: oma
word: sitty
Hypernyms: word: grandparent
word: relative
Hyponyms: maternal grandmother
paternal grandmother
Derived terms: coastal grandmother
co-grandmother
don't teach your grandmother how to suck eggs
don't teach your grandmother to suck eggs
don't teach your grandmother how to milk ducks
don't teach your grandmother to steal sheep
GILF
god-grandmother
grandmother cell
grandmother clock
grandmotherfucker
grandmotherhood
grandmothering
grandmother-in-law
grandmotherish
grandmotherism
grandmotherless
grandmotherly
grandmother rule
great-grandmother
great-great-grandmother
great great great grandmother
if my grandmother had balls, she'd be my granddad
if my grandmother had wheels, she'd be a streetcar
maternal grandmother
paternal grandmother
sell one's own grandmother
stepgrandmother
you kiss your grandmother with that mouth
Related terms: great-grandfather