den mother

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den mother

A den mother helps the Cub Scouts build a wooden birdhouse.

Definition

Noun: 1. A woman who supervises a den of Cub Scouts: The original and literal meaning, referring to an adult female leader responsible for a small group of young boys in the Cub Scouts organization. 2. Someone who plays a nurturing, supervisory, or organizing role for a group: A figurative extension describing a person (not necessarily a woman or in Scouting) who acts as a caretaker, mentor, or informal leader for a specific group, often providing guidance, support, and a sense of order.

Examples
  • Literal (Scouting):
    • Mrs. Johnson has been a dedicated den mother for Pack 127 for five years.
    • The den mother helped the boys work on their merit badges.
  • Figurative (General):
    • In our office, Sarah is the den mother who remembers everyone's birthday and organizes team lunches.
    • He became the unofficial den mother for the new interns, showing them around and answering their questions.
Advanced Usage
  • The term is often used affectionately or humorously to describe someone who naturally assumes a protective, nurturing, or administrative role within an informal social or professional group.
  • While historically and literally female, the figurative use can sometimes apply to men, emphasizing the nurturing or organizational aspect of the role rather than gender.
Variants and Related Words
  • Den leader: A more modern, gender-neutral term for the adult supervising a Cub Scout den.
  • House mother: A similar term often used for a woman in charge of a residence, such as a sorority house or a dormitory.
  • Matron: A woman in charge of domestic and medical arrangements in an institution; carries a more formal or older connotation.
  • Caregiver: A general term for a person who provides care and support.
Synonyms
  • Supervisor
  • Mentor
  • Caregiver
  • Guardian (in a figurative sense)
  • Organizer
  • Housemother
Related Idioms & Phrases
  • To play den mother: To take on the role of a den mother.
    • I'm not officially in charge, but I always end up playing den mother on these team trips.
den mother

A den mother helps the Cub Scouts build a wooden birdhouse.

Noun
  1. a woman who supervises a den of Cub Scouts
  2. someone who plays the role of a den mother
    • he serves as den mother to all the freshmen in this dormitory
    • she's the den mother to new secretaries