“the mother”

The following 2 entries include the term the mother.

necessity is the mother of invention

phrase

—used to say that new ways to do things are found or created when there is a strong and special need for them

See the full definition

the mother of all

phrase

—used to say that something is larger, better, worse, etc., than all other things of the same kind

See the full definition

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of cockamamie

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

Commonly Misspelled Words Vol. 2 Quiz

  • sequel spelled three ways with the incorrect ways crossed out and the correct spelling circled
  • Rachel seemed to be _____ in every endeavor she started.
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.

Pick the best words!

PLAY
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
woman sitting on floor holding book in front of her face on pink background
Famous Novels, Last Lines Quiz Needless to say, spoiler alert.
See All