ma
ma — noun
1. an informal word for mother, used when speaking to your own mother or referring
an informal word for mother, used when speaking to your own mother or referring to her in a family setting
Ma, can you help me tie my shoelaces?
direct address: 'Ma' used as a call
I told Ma I would be home before nine o'clock.
My ma always makes chicken soup when I feel sick.
possessive pattern: 'my ma'
Putri called her ma to say the train was delayed.
Tomás asked his ma to pick him up after football practice.
- my ma
- your ma
- his ma
- her ma
- tell ma
- call ma
- ask ma
- dad
the informal word for father
Grammar Patterns
possessive + ma
direct address: Ma + sentence
Usage Note
Used as a direct address ('Ma, please wait') or with a possessive determiner ('my ma', 'his ma'). More common in spoken English than in writing. 'Mom' is the dominant form in North America; 'mum' is preferred in Britain and Australia.
Common Mistakes
2. a title placed before an older woman's surname as a respectful but informal way
a title placed before an older woman's surname as a respectful but informal way for a community to address her
Old Ma Jenkins used to babysit half the children on the street.
title + surname pattern: 'Ma [Surname]'
Everyone called her Ma Patterson because she fed the stray cats.
Ma Higgins lived at the end of the lane and kept a flock of chickens.
The neighbourhood children brought firewood to Ma Okafor every winter.
- Ma [surname]
- Old Ma [surname]
- Granny
used similarly as a friendly title for an older woman, but not typically placed before a surname
Grammar Patterns
Ma + [surname]
Usage Note
Always followed by a surname (e.g., Ma Higgins, Ma Patterson). Frequently preceded by 'Old' (Old Ma Jenkins). This title is characteristic of rural or small-town American English and is becoming less common in modern usage.
Common Mistakes
3. a graduate degree in the humanities or social sciences, commonly written as MA a
a graduate degree in the humanities or social sciences, commonly written as MA after a person's name or in academic records
Eri earned her MA in History from the University of Edinburgh.
MA in [subject] + from [university]
Darius is studying for an MA in English literature.
The job advertisement requires an MA or a higher degree.
Dr. Shanti Rao, MA, PhD, joined the linguistics department last year.
title pattern: '[Name], MA'
- MA in
- an MA
- earn an MA
- MA degree
- MA programme
- Master of Arts
the full, formal name of the degree
Grammar Patterns
MA in [subject]
an MA degree
[name], MA
Usage Note
Always capitalised as MA. The indefinite article before it is 'an' because MA begins with a vowel sound ('em-ay'). Can be used after a person's name as a title (e.g., Jane Smith, MA).
Common Mistakes
4. the two-letter code MA that stands for the state of Massachusetts in US postal a
the two-letter code MA that stands for the state of Massachusetts in US postal addresses, placed right after the city name
Please send the signed documents to Boston, MA 02108 as soon as possible.
postal address format: 'City, MA [ZIP]'
The company headquarters is in Cambridge, MA, near Harvard Square.
Christopher moved to Springfield, MA after finishing graduate school.
The return address on the box read 'Salem, MA 01970'.
- [city], MA
Grammar Patterns
[city], MA [ZIP code]
Usage Note
Used only in addresses and on envelopes. In general writing, spell out 'Massachusetts' or use the two-letter postal code MA. Always capitalised.
Common Mistakes
ma — abbreviation
1. the symbol for milliampere, a unit of electric current equal to one thousandth o
the symbol for milliampere, a unit of electric current equal to one thousandth of an ampere
The small circuit board draws a current of only 5 mA.
number + mA pattern
A standard LED requires about 20 mA to light up properly.
The portable device operates safely between 10 and 50 mA.
The engineer measured the signal at 15 mA using a multimeter.
- [number] mA
- mA of current
Grammar Patterns
[number] + mA
Usage Note
Written with a lowercase 'm': mA. Used in technical and scientific contexts. Typically written without a space between the number and the symbol (e.g., 20 mA).
2. the abbreviation for million years ago, used in geology and palaeontology to ind
the abbreviation for million years ago, used in geology and palaeontology to indicate a date in the deep past
The earliest dinosaurs appeared on Earth around 230 Ma.
number + Ma for deep time
These rock formations in Scotland date from roughly 150 Ma.
Fossil evidence places this extinct species at about 66 Ma.
Geologists estimate the mountain range formed around 50 Ma.
- [number] Ma
- Ma ago
Grammar Patterns
[number] + Ma
Usage Note
Written with a capital 'M': Ma. Used exclusively in scientific writing about Earth history. 'Ma' stands for 'mega-annum' (million years ago) and appears after the number.
3. a written abbreviation meaning Master of Arts, the graduate degree itself when u
a written abbreviation meaning Master of Arts, the graduate degree itself when used in official titles, lists, or forms
The programme offers both BA and MA degrees in sociology.
BA and MA — contrasting undergraduate and graduate levels
Applicants must hold an MA or equivalent qualification.
Ingrid received her MA from the National University of Singapore.
The university directory lists every MA candidate by department.
- MA degree
- MA programme
- hold an MA
- Master of Arts
the full form of the degree
- BA
Bachelor of Arts — the undergraduate degree
Grammar Patterns
MA
MA in [subject]
Usage Note
Also listed under the noun entry for 'MA Master of Arts'. The abbreviation category covers its use in official documentation, forms, and lists where the symbol MA is treated as a label.
4. the two-letter postal code for Massachusetts, used in addresses, forms, and data
the two-letter postal code for Massachusetts, used in addresses, forms, and data systems
The online form asked for the state, so I typed 'MA'.
used in forms and databases
Amherst, MA is home to several colleges and universities.
The ZIP code lookup tool returned 'Lowell, MA 01850'.
My new address is 42 Oak Street, Worcester, MA 01609.
- [city], MA
Grammar Patterns
[city], MA
Usage Note
Also listed under the noun entry. This sense covers the use of MA as a data-entry code and postal label. In running text, write 'Massachusetts' in full.
5. the abbreviation for mental age, a measure of a person's intellectual ability ex
the abbreviation for mental age, a measure of a person's intellectual ability expressed as the age at which an average person reaches that level
The test results showed an MA of eight years for the ten-year-old child.
MA of [number] years — comparing mental age to chronological age
The psychologist recorded an MA of twelve for the student.
A child with an MA higher than their CA may be gifted.
The report noted that her MA matched her chronological age exactly.
- MA of [number]
- MA score
- mental age
- CA
chronological age — the person's actual age in years
Grammar Patterns
MA of [number]
MA of [number] years
Usage Note
Used primarily in educational psychology and developmental assessments. Always capitalised as MA. Often appears alongside IQ scores: 'The child's IQ was 95, with an MA of 9 years.'
6. a written abbreviation for the Middle Ages, the period of European history from
a written abbreviation for the Middle Ages, the period of European history from roughly the 5th to the 15th century
The course examines European trade routes from 500 to 1500 MA.
date range + MA — specifying the period
Many Gothic cathedrals in France were built during the MA.
The university offers a new module on daily life in the late MA.
Historians divide the MA into the early, high, and late periods.
- during the MA
- MA period
- medieval period
an alternative term for the Middle Ages
- the Middle Ages
the full phrase, preferred in general writing
Grammar Patterns
the MA
during the MA
Usage Note
Less common than writing 'the Middle Ages' in full. Used mainly in academic schedules, course catalogues, and shorthand notes. Capitalised as MA.
7. a written abbreviation for mergers and acquisitions, the business activity of co
a written abbreviation for mergers and acquisitions, the business activity of combining companies or buying and selling parts of companies
The bank has a specialist MA team that handles corporate takeovers.
MA as a modifier: 'MA team'
Camila works in MA at a large investment firm in London.
The company's MA strategy focuses on acquiring small tech startups.
The law firm hired a new partner to lead its MA practice.
- MA team
- MA deal
- MA strategy
- MA lawyer
- work in MA
- mergers and acquisitions
the full phrase
- M&A
an alternative abbreviation with an ampersand
Grammar Patterns
MA team
MA deal
MA [noun]
Usage Note
Commonly capitalised as MA or written as M&A. Used as a modifier before nouns (MA team, MA deal, MA lawyer) or as a field of work ('She is in MA').
Common Mistakes
ma — idiom
Yo-Yo Ma
idioma world-famous American cellist, born in Paris in 1955 to Chinese parents, known for his broad repertoire that spans classical, folk, and cross-cultural music
Yo-Yo Ma performed Bach's cello suites to a sold-out audience in Taipei.
The documentary follows Yo-Yo Ma as he collaborates with musicians from around the world.
Yo-Yo Ma's Silk Road Project brings together artists from different cultural traditions.
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: noun/1
These four words all refer to a female parent, but they differ in register, region, and formality. 'Ma' is the most informal and is used mainly in spoken family settings, often as a direct address ('Ma, can I go?'). 'Mom' is the standard informal term in North America — it is used both as a direct address and in reference ('My mom works at the hospital'). 'Mum' serves the same role in British, Australian, and New Zealand English. 'Mother' is the formal counterpart: it is used in writing, official documents, and polite contexts ('Please inform your mother'). Using 'mother' as a direct address ('Mother, may I leave the table?') sounds quite formal or old-fashioned in most modern households. For learners, the best choice depends on location and relationship: use 'mom' or 'mum' in everyday conversation, 'ma' for added intimacy or dialect authenticity, and 'mother' in formal speech or writing.
Etymology
The word 'ma' comes from baby language — the 'm' sound is one of the first consonants babies produce, and many languages around the world use a similar 'ma' or 'mama' sound for 'mother'. This natural phonetic pattern appears in Chinese (妈, mā), Swahili (mama), Spanish (mamá), and countless other languages. In English, 'ma' has been recorded since the early 1800s as a shortened, informal version of 'mama' or 'mamma', which themselves were borrowings of the baby-talk pattern into standard English. The abbreviation MA for Master of Arts has a separate history, originating from the Latin 'Magister Artium', first used in medieval European universities.