father figure

American  

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

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of father figure

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

Army colonel Lee Shaw, her team’s father figure, in the monster realm they call Axis Mundi.

From Salon • Mar. 20, 2026

But this strong father figure is also punitive in nature; they want to earn his approval to avoid being punished.

From Salon • Feb. 24, 2026

Nancy Shear wasn’t yet out of her teens when she was hired as musical assistant to the eminent and enigmatic symphony conductor Leopold Stokowski, who became her mentor and a father figure of sorts.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 21, 2025

He also played a critical role in renaming the airport in Las Vegas after the late Sen. Harry Reid, whom he describes as a father figure.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 4, 2025

“Good. Let’s keep quiet. Look, Como’s lips are turning pink.... You’ve never been a father figure to Susan and Sandra.”

From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole