cummer: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Obsolete/Very LowArchaic, Dialectal
Quick answer
What does “cummer” mean?
A godmother.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A godmother; a female sponsor at a baptism.
Historically, a familiar or intimate term for a close female friend or gossip.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term survives marginally in some Scottish dialects but is completely absent from modern American English.
Connotations
In historical British usage, it could imply a gossipy, close female friend. In modern contexts, it is merely an archaic curiosity.
Frequency
Effectively zero in contemporary use in both varieties. May be encountered in historical literature or dialect studies.
Grammar
How to Use “cummer” in a Sentence
[possessive] + cummer (e.g., my cummer)[adjective] + cummerVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in historical or dialectological texts.
Everyday
Not used in modern everyday English.
Technical
Not applicable.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cummer”
- Using it in modern contexts.
- Assuming it is a variant of 'comer'.
- Using it for a male sponsor.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an archaic and dialectal word. You will only encounter it in historical texts, older Scottish literature, or dialect studies.
In its core meaning, there is no difference; 'cummer' is simply an older, dialectal term for a godmother or female baptismal sponsor.
No, it is specifically a female term. The archaic male equivalent was 'gossip' or 'godfather'.
To avoid confusion when reading historical or dialectal English literature, and to understand the history of words related to kinship and social roles.
A godmother.
Cummer is usually archaic, dialectal in register.
Cummer: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkʌmə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkʌmər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “As thick as two cummers (very intimate friends).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'comer' to a christening - the woman who 'comes' with the child is the CUMMER.
Conceptual Metaphor
CLOSENESS IS SPONSORSHIP (The intimate role of a sponsor metaphorically extends to close friendship).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'cummer' most likely be found?