Stepmother

/ˈstɛpˌmʌðər/

Meaning & Definition

noun

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

After his father remarried, he had to adjust to living with his new stepmother.

A woman who acts as a mother figure but is not a biological mother.

Her stepmother was very kind and treated her like her own daughter.

In folklore, a stepmother often portrays a negative character.

The evil stepmother in the story was known for her jealousy and cruelty.

The word 'stepmother' comes from 'step' meaning 'by marriage' and 'mother', thus meaning 'mother by marriage'.

step-family

A family that includes members from previous relationships.

step-sibling

A sibling who is the child of one's step-parent.

stepfather

The husband of one's mother after the divorce from one's biological father.

step-child

A child of one's spouse from a previous relationship.

Bonus mom

I love my bonus mom; she gives the best advice!

Steppie

My steppie always makes my favorite meals.