father figure

American  

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

noun

• father figures
  plural

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

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• father figures
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of father figure

First recorded in 1930–35

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

father figure

Chandler flexes the charisma that made his “Friday Night Lights” father figure Coach Taylor such an indelible figure, while Pierre’s buttoned-down smolder slowly simmers the tension between them.

From Salon ● Aug. 14, 2026

Tony already has a father, but he badly needs tough direction from a father figure like Chef.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026

“He’s been a father figure, a mentor and impacted so many aspects of our lives. The impact is on so many generations of people. It’s still tough for us to wrap our minds around it.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 6, 2026

"I love the monarchy because my parents divorced when I was very young. Rama IX was like a father figure to me," she said, referring to the former king.

From Barron's ● Jun. 12, 2026

The only kid he knew who’d had to become a father figure for his little brother and sister, when he was barely older than them himself.

From "The Strangers" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

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