Grandmother
/ˈɡrænmʌðər/
Definitions
2 meaningsThe mother of your parent.
/ˈɡrænmʌðər/
The mother of one's parent.
My grandmother always tells the best stories.
💡 Simply: Your grandmother is like your mom's or dad's mom. She's usually really nice and loves to give hugs and treats!
👶 For kids: A grandmother is your mom or dad's mom.
More Examples
She baked cookies for her grandchildren and their friends.
I visited my grandmother last weekend.
How It's Used
"I love spending time with my grandmother."
"In the story, the child's grandmother played a central role."
A female ancestor in a familial line.
/ˈɡrænmʌðər/
A female ancestor.
She was named after her grandmother.
💡 Simply: When you talk about your grandmother, you're also talking about all the women from a long time ago that led to you.
👶 For kids: Sometimes, grandmother can mean any woman who is an ancestor.
More Examples
The family heirloom was passed down from grandmother to granddaughter.
They discovered their grandmother was a war hero.
How It's Used
"Researching her grandmother's origins helped her understand her family history."
"The painting depicted his grandmother's portrait."
Idioms & expressions
like a grandmother hen
excessively protective or overbearing
"Her new boss was like a grandmother hen, constantly checking on everyone's work."
From Middle English *grandmoder*, from Old French *grant mere* (“great mother”), which is from Latin *grandis* (“great”) + *mater* (“mother”).
The term 'grandmother' has been in consistent use for centuries, reflecting the fundamental importance of grandparents in family structures.
Memory tip
Think of a GRAND mother, someone who is great and loving and a mother to your parent.