dad

¹ American  

[dad] / dæd /

noun

1. a person’s father or one’s father.

2. a person who is corny or embarrassing in the way that a father figure might be.

   He was being such a dad when he told that story.

3. a term of endearment used to refer to a man or boy who is admired.

   A bunch of teens commented “HI DAD!” on the rapper’s post.

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adjective

1. corny or embarrassing in the way that a father figure might be: the most dad story ever.

   a dad joke;

   the most dad story ever.

2. handsome or stylish; amazing; to be admired.

   Those shoes are totally dad.

verb (used with object)

1. to act as a father toward; act paternally toward.

   Stop dadding me about my grades!

2. to refer to (an admired man or boy) as “dad”.

   My friends dad me whenever I look good.

verb (used without object)

1. to perform the tasks or duties of a male parent; act paternally.

   He dads like a champ.

2. to refer to an admired man or boy as “dad”.

   They dad whenever a new photo pops up on their feeds.

dad ² American  

[dad] / dæd /

noun

Scot. and North England.

1. a solid blow or knock.

2. a large slice, lump, or portion.

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dad ³ American  

[dad] / dæd /

interjection

Informal.

1. God (used in combination in mild oaths).

   dad-blamed; dad-gummed.

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ḍad ⁴ American  

[dahd] / dɑd /

noun

1. the 15th letter of the Arabic alphabet.

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dad British  

/ dæd /

noun

1. an informal word for father

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Etymology

Origin of dad¹

First recorded in 1530–40; probably originally baby talk dah-dah

Origin of dad¹

First recorded in 1710–20; probably variant of dab ¹

Origin of dad¹

First recorded in 1670–80; euphemism for God; Gad ¹ ( def. )

Origin of ḍad¹

From Arabic

Example Sentences

My dad is a retired game show television producer.

From Los Angeles Times

The band described Cowell as "down to earth" and like "the dad of the group", with Olliver joking "when he likes you he puts his glasses up".

From BBC

He added: "I call it my church... it's a great way to escape the realities of what has been going on and it is some of the positive reminders I do have of my dad."

From BBC

While it was a bad deal for his dad, Ansari learned the thrill of making money.

From Los Angeles Times

During sentencing in a packed courtroom, Victoria's dad, brother and friend said that, while Wright's sentence "does give Victoria justice", it would never bring her back.

From BBC

Related Words

• old man
• papa
• parent