Synonyms

father figure

American

[fah-ther fig-yer] / ˈfɑ ðər ˌfɪg yər /

noun

an emotional substitute for one's father, especially one who fulfills parental functions such as protection, authority, support, etc.

Etymology

Origin of father figure

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The politically and socially powerful Horace Greeley became a friend, advisor, and father figure.

From Literature

But this strong father figure is also punitive in nature; they want to earn his approval to avoid being punished.

From Salon

"She was looking for a father figure to speak to and confide in and from whom to get guidance," the tribunal said.

From BBC

According to the suit, Mayweather considered Haymon to be a “father figure and relied on him to manage virtually all aspects of his finances and contracts.”

From Los Angeles Times

Montoya said a key witness in the case, someone he described as the “father figure” of the victim, moved to Ohio after the crime and had been cooperating with Montoya’s office.

From Salon

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023