Definition

1. Noun:
   • A boy or man who is excessively attached to his mother and is perceived as lacking independence or typical masculine interests. The term often carries a negative connotation, implying immaturity, over-dependence, or a failure to develop a separate adult identity.

Usage

• The term "mother's boy" is used as a countable noun. It is typically used in informal or critical contexts to describe a male's behavior and relationship with his mother.
• It can be considered a mild pejorative. A more formal, clinical synonym is "mama's boy."

Examples

• Noun:
  • At 30 years old, he still lives at home and has his mother do his laundry; he's such a mother's boy.
  • His friends teased him for being a mother's boy because he called his mother three times a day.

Advanced Usage

• The concept can be discussed in psychology regarding attachment styles or family dynamics.
• "To be labeled a mother's boy": to be characterized by others as overly dependent on one's mother.
  • He was labeled a mother's boy in school, which made socializing difficult.

Variants and Related Words

• Mama's boy (n): A more common variant in American English with the same meaning.
  • He's a total mama's boy; he won't make a decision without consulting her first.
• Mother-fixated (adj): A more formal, psychological term describing an unhealthy emotional attachment to one's mother.

Synonyms

• Mama's boy: (Informal, slightly more common) A boy or man excessively attached to his mother.
• Dependent son: (More neutral) A son who relies heavily on his mother.

Antonyms

• Independent man: A man who is self-reliant and does not depend excessively on his mother.
• Rebel: A person, especially a young man, who defiantly rejects parental authority or influence.

Idioms and Related Phrases

• Tied to his mother's apron strings: An idiom with a very similar meaning to "mother's boy," emphasizing lack of independence.
  • He's 40 and still tied to his mother's apron strings.
• To cut the cord: An idiom meaning to become independent from one's parents, especially one's mother. This is the action a "mother's boy" is often seen as failing to do.
  • It's time for him to cut the cord and live his own life.

Noun

1. a boy excessively attached to his mother; lacking normal masculine interests