Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

mama bear

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.11 in modern English

Syllables: ma-ma bear
IPA

14

Scrabble Score

8

Letters

2

Syllables

5

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A female bear currently rearing one or more cubs.

Informal

noun

A woman, especially a mother, who is extremely protective of a child or children.

Slang

Example Sentences

"To my sister, Kristen, who wears the badge of motherhood with pride and inspires people to love without reservation, without judgment, without fear. She is a mama bear and a wonder to watch in action!"

Usage

Inflected Forms

mama bears (plural) mamma bear (alternative) momma bear (alternative, US) mumma bear (alternative, Commonwealth)

Phrases

mama-bear

Frequently Paired Words

papa bear

Synonyms

helicopter mom mama grizzly tiger mom tiger mother

Questions

What does mama bear mean?: A female bear currently rearing one or more cubs.

How to pronounce mama bear

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “mama bear”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “mama bear”.
Repeat and practice — Say “mama bear” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.