Father Christmas
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of Father Christmas
First recorded in 1650–60
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.
Further requirements for the Father Christmas role generally include infinite patience, an ability to improvise, and tolerance for repetition.
From BBC • Dec. 17, 2025
He recalled "a terrific flash of lightning and almost instantaneous crash of thunder, which woke quite a few people up - and probably frightened Father Christmas".
From BBC • Dec. 14, 2025
A Father Christmas figure is pictured looking pained in the water at the foot of a rock.
From Barron's • Nov. 19, 2025
What makes her laugh, though, is remembering a complaint from a furious mum who accused her of ruining her daughter's childhood because one of her books implied that 11-year-olds no longer believe in Father Christmas.
From BBC • Aug. 27, 2025
“Why not Lifebuoy?” said Father Christmas, trying to be helpful and looking anxiously at Mary Poppins, for she was being rather snappy.
From "Mary Poppins" by P. L. Travers
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
