fatherly

[ fah-ther-lee ]

adjective

1. of, like, or befitting a father.

adverb

1. Obsolete. in the manner of a father.

fatherly

/ ˈfɑːðəlɪ /

adjective

1. of, resembling, or suitable to a father

Derived Forms

• ˈfatherliness, noun

Other Words From

• father·li·ness noun
• pseudo·father·ly adverb
• un·father·ly adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of fatherly¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English faderly, Old English fæderlic. See father, -ly

Synonym Study

Fatherly, paternal refer to the relationship of a male parent to his children. Fatherly has emotional connotations; it always suggests a kind, protective, tender, or forbearing attitude: fatherly advice. Paternal may suggest a kindly, proprietary attitude: paternal interest; but it may also be used objectively, as a legal and official term: his paternal grandmother; paternal estate.

Example Sentences

He went on to star in a long series of humorous television commercials, write best-selling books dispensing fatherly advice and headline other TV shows.

From Washington Post

The child of a single mother, Hoffman says the man “became the fatherly figure in my life.”

From The Daily Beast

Even in confrontational moments, he was never contemptuous, taking on instead a tone of fatherly rebuke.

From The Daily Beast

Were there aspects of his directing that felt fatherly or did that impact his work in any way?

From The Daily Beast

Did you ever get all fatherly and give Michael Fassbender or any of her other boyfriends a hard time?

From The Daily Beast

A Friend of the Familyby Lauren Grodstein A gripping, elegant account of fatherly love and suburban sanctity gone awry.

From The Daily Beast

He was quite fatherly to me and took a great deal of trouble in teaching me my work.

From Project Gutenberg

In me he always showed a fatherly interest, and sometimes chided me for talking too freely and writing too much.

From Project Gutenberg

Was not this a blasphemy against the fatherly goodness of the Creator,—a base desertion of the cause of the disinherited?

From Project Gutenberg

President de Thou paid his godson a visit during which he showed himself most fatherly.

From Project Gutenberg

"I shall consider it no trouble at all, my dear child," he returned, giving her a fatherly smile.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• paternal

More About Fatherly

What does fatherly mean?

Fatherly is an adjective that most commonly means like a father. It’s especially used in a positive way to describe someone as being kind, nurturing, and protective—like a good father who loves and cares for his child(ren).

Describing someone as fatherly often implies that they listen and give good advice—it’s perhaps most commonly used in the phrase fatherly advice. 

The word paternal can be used to mean the same thing, but it can also be used in a more neutral way that doesn’t imply these positive things, and the same is true of the word parental (which can be used regardless of the parent’s gender).

Sometimes, fatherly means of or suitable for a father, as in fatherly instincts. 

Fatherly is most often used to describe fathers themselves, but it can be applied to someone who’s not a father, as in After my dad died, I started relying on Joe for fatherly support. 

Fatherly was once used as an adverb meaning in the manner of a father, but this is no longer common.

Fatherly is one of many similar adjectives based on family relations, including motherly, grandfatherly, grandmotherly, brotherly, and sisterly.

Example: When my stepdad first moved in with us, I could tell that he was trying really hard to be fatherly, and it showed me that he cared.

Where does fatherly come from?

The first records of the word fatherly come from before 1000. The suffix -ly is often used to form adverbs, but in the case of fatherly it means “like” (i.e., like a father).

The common meaning of fatherly is based not on any father but on a good father, one who is nurturing and compassionate. The phrase fatherly advice typically refers to advice that’s wise, comes from experience, and is intended to help you be the best you can be. Such advice can come from one’s actual father or from a father figure.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to fatherly?

• fatherliness (noun)
• unfatherly (adjective)

What are some synonyms for fatherly?

• paternal
• fatherlike
• parental

What are some words that share a root or word element with fatherly? 

 

• father
• father figure
• fatherhood
• motherly
• grandfatherly
• grandmotherly
• brotherly
• sisterly

What are some words that often get used in discussing fatherly?

• advice
• counsel
• support
• talk
• wise
• supportive
• loving

How is fatherly used in real life?

Fatherly is usually used in a positive way to describe a man or something he does as being like a good father. It can be applied to fathers or people who are not fathers.

Wonderful letter, the best of fatherly advice. https://t.co/ELVRjXUjez

— Laura Noble (@lauraannnoble) October 29, 2020

Finally got the fatherly counsel I was looking for… Albeit from an older friend. I'm happy again :o). Surround yourself with good people

— Ofimbunedu (@MaxFlynt) July 17, 2010

A couple of my male friends are having boys lol I can’t wait to see them be fatherly

— Des💙 (@DEStalkmorehead) August 28, 2020

 

 

Try using fatherly!

Which of the following actions could be described as fatherly?

A. giving you good advice
B. comforting you
C. cheering you on
D. all of the above