Standard Lemma guide

matronymic

adj · noun · 5 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • UK, US: /ˌmætɹəˈnɪmɪk/

1

adj

Meaning 1

Of, relating to, or derived from the given name of one's mother.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

Examples

  • In many countries, matronymic surnames can be adopted after the death of the father, although the process is very formal and lengthy.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adj

Meaning 2

By extension; of, relating to, or derived from the given name of a female ancestor.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

A surname or byname acquired from the given name of one's mother.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

noun

Meaning 4

By extension, a surname or byname acquired from the given name from a female ancestor.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

noun

Meaning 5

a name derived from the name of your mother or a maternal ancestor

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: metronymic

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: name

History

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *méh2tēr Proto-Italic *mātēr Latin māter Proto-Indo-European *h1nómn̥ Proto-Graeco-Phrygian *ónomã Proto-Indo-European *h1nómn̥ Proto-Hellenic *ónomə Ancient Greek ὄνῠμᾰ (ónŭmă)der. New Latinder. English -onym Proto-Indo-European *-ikos Proto-Italic *-ikos Latin -icuslbor. Old French -iquebor. Middle English -ik English -ic English matronymic From Latin māter (“mother”) + English -onym + -ic.

Across languages

Translations

13 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Czech: matronymický — matronymic (adjective)
  • French: matronymique — matronymic (adjective)
  • German: matronymisch — matronymic (adjective)
  • German: metronymisch — matronymic (adjective)
  • Czech: metronymikon — matronymic (noun)
  • German: Matronym — matronymic (noun)
  • German: Matronymikon — matronymic (noun)
  • German: Matronymikum — matronymic (noun)
  • German: Metronym — matronymic (noun)
  • German: Metronymikon — matronymic (noun)
  • German: Muttername — matronymic (noun)
  • German: Muttersname — matronymic (noun)
  • Telugu: మాతృకనామము (mātr̥kanāmamu) — matronymic (noun)