daddy

American  

[dad-ee] / ˈdæd i /

noun

daddies plural

1. Informal. a diminutive of dad.

2. Slang. sugar daddy.

3. Slang. an affectionate or familiar term of address to a boyfriend or male romantic partner, especially if he is older.

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verb (used with object)

daddied, daddying

1. Chiefly Appalachian. to father or sire.

idioms

1. daddy of all, the greatest or most notable example of.

   the daddy of all motorcycles.

daddy British  

/ ˈdædɪ /

noun

1. an informal word for father

2. slang the supreme or finest example

   the daddy of them all

3. slang the dominant male in a group; boss; top man

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daddy More Idioms  

1. see big daddy; granddaddy of them all; sugar daddy.

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Etymology

Origin of daddy

First recorded in 1490–1500; dad ¹ + -y ²

Explanation

Daddy is an affectionate nickname for your father. For many babies, daddy is one of the earliest words they learn to speak. Many young children call their fathers daddy, and the word is believed to come from baby talk, or the initial sounds — da da — that a baby or toddler tends to make when she's first learning to speak. It's less common for a grown person to call her dad daddy, although some people use the childish nickname throughout their lives.

Example Sentences

There was a long-running parlor game during his father’s first term about which of the children would run for president after daddy was done.

From Salon • May 3, 2026

Her and my mama and my daddy be talking.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

In a word or two, the film hints that she’s an orphan and he has daddy issues.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 5, 2025

She and her dad had chosen music for her wedding next year, including a "daddy dance" but she lost him just a few weeks later and now the planning has stopped.

From BBC • Dec. 4, 2025

The truth is, your daddy was better than me.

From "Hope Springs" by Jaime Berry

Related Words

• ancestor
• dad
• parent
• predecessor