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Synonyms

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.

Etymology

Origin of father figure

First recorded in 1930–35

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.

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

In other words, Gen Z wants a financial father figure.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 18, 2025

Dowie said he was like a father figure to her.

From BBC • Oct. 17, 2025

Was it unfair to dismiss the possibility of a father figure in Zachary’s life?

From "Zeitoun" by Dave Eggers

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.