stepmother
UK: ˈstɛpmʌðə | US: ˈstɛpmʌðər
n. a woman who is married to one's father but is not one's biological mother
The term "stepmother" originates from Old English stēopmōdor, combining stēop- (meaning "bereaved" or "related by remarriage," from Proto-Germanic steupa-) and mōdor ("mother"). Historically, step- denoted a connection formed after the death or separation of a biological parent. Over time, the prefix evolved to broadly describe familial relationships formed through remarriage, losing its original connotation of bereavement. The word reflects societal structures where remarriage introduced new parental figures into a child's life.
After his father remarried, Tom struggled to bond with his stepmother.
In fairy tales, the stepmother is often portrayed as cruel or jealous.
She treats her stepchildren as if they were her own, proving stepmothers can be loving.
The term "stepmother" carries cultural baggage despite many positive modern relationships.
Legal rights for stepmothers vary depending on jurisdiction.