mother lode: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, literary, journalistic; common in business and figurative contexts.
Quick answer
What does “mother lode” mean?
The principal vein or deposit of ore in a mine.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The principal vein or deposit of ore in a mine; the main, rich source of something valuable.
A large, rich, or significant source of something valuable (e.g., information, wealth, talent, opportunity).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both use the term identically. The term originates from the California Gold Rush (US), but is fully naturalized in British English.
Connotations
Associated with sudden wealth, discovery, and breakthrough. In business contexts, implies a transformative opportunity.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English due to historical mining culture, but the difference is minimal.
Grammar
How to Use “mother lode” in a Sentence
[subject] hit/strike/find/discover a/the mother lode of [object][object] is/represents a mother lode of [abstract noun]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mother lode” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- The geologists believed they had finally located the mother lode of tin in Cornwall.
- The archive proved to be a mother lode of information about Victorian social history.
- Their new marketing strategy was the mother lode they had been searching for.
American English
- Prospectors spent years trying to find the mother lode in the Sierra Nevada.
- The leaked documents were a mother lode for investigative journalists.
- This new client could be the mother lode for our small firm.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Referring to a highly profitable new market, product line, or revenue stream.
Academic
Describing a rich archive of primary source material or a foundational theory.
Everyday
Figuratively, for finding a great deal of something desired (e.g., at a car boot sale).
Technical
In geology and mining, the principal lode or reef from which branches originate.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mother lode”
- Using 'motherload' (incorrect spelling).
- Using it as a plural (mother lodes is possible but less common).
- Confusing with 'motherlode' (sometimes accepted as a closed compound, but 'mother lode' is standard).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The correct and traditional spelling is 'mother lode' (two words). 'Motherload' is a common misspelling, though some modern dictionaries may list it as a variant due to widespread use.
Typically, it connotes positive value (wealth, information). It can be used ironically or critically (e.g., 'a mother lode of problems'), but this is less common and relies on context for the negative twist.
They are very similar synonyms. 'Mother lode' often emphasises the discovery of the primary, original source, while 'goldmine' can emphasise the ongoing abundance or usefulness of the source. 'Mother lode' has a slightly more dramatic, 'Eureka!' connotation.
Yes, extensively, but almost always figuratively. You will encounter it in business journalism, tech writing ('a mother lode of data'), and general media to describe any significant find or source of value.
The principal vein or deposit of ore in a mine.
Mother lode is usually formal, literary, journalistic; common in business and figurative contexts. in register.
Mother lode: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmʌð.ə ˈləʊd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmʌð.ɚ ˈloʊd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “hit paydirt / strike it rich (conceptually similar)”
- “strike gold”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a MOTHER as the main source of life; a MOTHER LODE is the main source of mineral wealth.
Conceptual Metaphor
WEALTH/SUCCESS IS A MINERAL DEPOSIT; VALUABLE INFORMATION IS A MINED RESOURCE.
Practice
Quiz
In which of these contexts is 'mother lode' LEAST likely to be used appropriately?