Matrifocal
adj ·Rare ·Advanced level
Definitions
- 1 Centered on the mother; matriarchal.
"This pattern of children turning towards the mother after a divorce is known as the matrifocal tilt. For younger children, it can be a consequence of custody arrangements that leave the children with the mother. But studies across different countries, and spanning several decades, have also found this matrifocal tilt away from the father in grey divorces with grown-up children."
Example
More examples"This pattern of children turning towards the mother after a divorce is known as the matrifocal tilt. For younger children, it can be a consequence of custody arrangements that leave the children with the mother. But studies across different countries, and spanning several decades, have also found this matrifocal tilt away from the father in grey divorces with grown-up children."
Etymology
From matri- + focal.
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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.