Vocabulary · Seasons and celebrations
Mother's Day in English
A2
Mother's Day in English: mum and mom, flowers, cards and gifts, words to say thank you, and the best phrases for your card. With British pronunciation (IPA) and examples.
Quick answer
The day and the family
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Mother's Day(n.)“Happy Mother's Day!” | a day to thank your mum | /ˈmʌðəz deɪ/ |
| mother(n.) | a female parent | /ˈmʌðə/ |
| mom(n.) | a child's word for mother (US) | /mɑːm/ |
| mum(n.) | a child's word for mother (UK) | /mʌm/ |
| mommy / mummy(n.) | a small child's word for mother | /ˈmɑːmi/ /ˈmʌmi/ |
Gifts
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| flower(n.) | the colourful part of a plant | /ˈflaʊə/ |
| bouquet(n.) | a bunch of flowers | /buˈkeɪ/ |
| card(n.) | folded paper with a message inside | /kɑːd/ |
| gift(n.) | something you give, a present | /ɡɪft/ |
| jewelry(n.) | rings, necklaces and earrings | /ˈdʒuːəlri/ |
| perfume(n.) | a liquid that smells nice | /ˈpɜːfjuːm/ |
Thanks and feelings
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| thank you(phrase) | what you say when you are grateful | /θæŋk juː/ |
| love(n.) | a very strong, warm feeling | /lʌv/ |
| special(adj.) | different and better than usual | /ˈspeʃəl/ |
| wonderful(adj.) | very, very good | /ˈwʌndəfʊl/ |
| amazing(adj.) | surprisingly good | /əˈmeɪzɪŋ/ |
Useful phrases
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Happy Mother's Day(phrase) | the usual greeting on that day | /ˈhæpi ˈmʌðəz deɪ/ |
| I love you, mom(phrase) | a warm message to your mother | /aɪ lʌv juː mɑːm/ |
| Thanks for everything(phrase) | you are grateful for all she does | /θæŋks fə ˈevriθɪŋ/ |
| best mom in the world(phrase) | the greatest mother you could have | /best mɑːm ɪn ðə wɜːld/ |
Common mistakes to avoid
Mom (US) or mum (UK)?
In the US: mom. In the UK: mum. Both are correct: they are just different in each country. Mommy and mummy are the words of small children.
Mothers Day ❌: add the apostrophe
Write Mother's Day, with an apostrophe (it means “the day of the mother”). Not Mothers Day.
Practice quiz
Related pages: Mother's Day
Pages on a similar topic or with a similar use, so you can keep exploring.
What's next?
Mother's Day: learn these words for good
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Frequently asked questions
How do you write Mother's Day?+
Write Mother's Day, with an apostrophe before the s. In the US, it is on the second Sunday in May. In the UK, it is on the fourth Sunday of Lent (in March or April), and people also call it Mothering Sunday.
Is it mom or mum?+
In the United States, people say mom /mɑːm/. In the United Kingdom, people say mum /mʌm/. Mommy and mummy are the words that small children use: they are softer and more loving.
When is Mother's Day?+
The date is different in each country. In the US and Canada, it is the second Sunday in May. In the UK, it is the fourth Sunday of Lent, in March or April. Many other countries, like Belgium and the Netherlands, also celebrate it on the second Sunday in May.
What can I write in a Mother's Day card?+
Here are some simple ideas: Happy Mother's Day, Mum! I love you. Thank you for everything you do. You're the best mum in the world. The most important thing is to be sincere.
Updated on 12 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 12 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/vocabulary/mothers-day
© The Big Challenge. Copying allowed for classroom use. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999.