Definition

A woman who is married to someone's father but is not their biological mother.

Example

After her father remarried, she had a stepmother who was very kind to her.

Conversation

Have you met my stepmother yet?

No, I haven't! What's she like?

She's really nice and loves to cook.

That sounds great! I hope to meet her soon.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Stepmother → It is formed from "step" (from Old English *stæpe*, meaning a step or degree) and "mother" (from Old English *modor*, meaning a female parent). The word "stepmother" refers to a woman who is a mother by marriage rather than by birth, indicating a familial relationship that is a step away from biological connection.

Memory Tip

Think of a 'step' as a degree of relationship, and 'mother' as a female parent. A stepmother is a woman who becomes a mother through marriage, not by birth.

Visually Confused Words