mother hubbard: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowHistorical/Literary; occasionally humorous or pejorative in modern use.
Quick answer
What does “mother hubbard” mean?
A long, loose-fitting gown or dress, often with a high neckline and long sleeves, originally worn in the 18th–19th centuries.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A long, loose-fitting gown or dress, often with a high neckline and long sleeves, originally worn in the 18th–19th centuries.
Any loose, shapeless, or old-fashioned dress; sometimes used figuratively to describe something that is excessively modest, frumpy, or unstylish.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Equally rare in both varieties. Slightly more likely to be recognized in British English due to historical and literary references (e.g., Old Mother Hubbard).
Connotations
Both share core connotations of old-fashioned, frumpy attire. Possibly a stronger humorous/nursery rhyme association in BrE.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in contemporary speech and writing. Found primarily in historical texts, costume descriptions, or as a stylistic/derogatory metaphor.
Grammar
How to Use “mother hubbard” in a Sentence
wear + [a] mother hubbarddressed in + [a] mother hubbardlook like + [a] mother hubbardVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mother hubbard” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- She wore a very mother-hubbard sort of dress to the garden party.
American English
- The costume had a mother-hubbard silhouette, very 19th century.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Rarely used in historical, literary, or costume studies contexts.
Everyday
Very rare. Might be used humorously or critically to describe an unfashionable garment.
Technical
Used in historical fashion/costume terminology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mother hubbard”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mother hubbard”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mother hubbard”
- Misspelling as 'Mother Hubbard's' (possessive) when referring to the dress.
- Using it as a general term for any dress.
- Confusing it with 'maternity dress'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Typically, yes, especially when referring to the specific historical garment or the nursery rhyme character. It may appear in lower case when used generically or adjectivally (e.g., a mother-hubbard dress).
It is very rare. If used, it is usually a humorous, critical, or metaphorical comment on a garment being excessively loose, shapeless, or old-fashioned, not a standard contemporary term.
The nursery rhyme 'Old Mother Hubbard' dates from the early 19th century. The character was often depicted in illustrations wearing this type of loose, simple gown, which helped popularize the name for the garment.
It is not a standard term in formal modern fashion discourse. Its register is historical, literary, or informal (often pejorative or humorous).
A long, loose-fitting gown or dress, often with a high neckline and long sleeves, originally worn in the 18th–19th centuries.
Mother hubbard: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmʌðə ˈhʌbəd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmʌðər ˈhʌbərd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Old Mother Hubbard (nursery rhyme character)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'Mother Hubbard' – she went to the cupboard. The dress is as loose and empty as a bare cupboard.
Conceptual Metaphor
CLOTHING IS A CONTAINER (a loose container for the body); OLD-FASHIONED IS UNATTRACTIVE.
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'mother hubbard' primarily?