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

"Amid all this chaos, what really matters to me is this feeling of someone who can somehow bring everyone together, almost like a father figure."

From Barron's ● Oct. 25, 2026

He meets the younger singer on her turf: The track is a theatrical pop confection with a busy, singsong melody, and Mr. Smith’s ageless cracked moan makes him sound like an approving father figure.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 16, 2026

In that capacity, Head cemented Giles in our minds as a positive father figure without meeting the strict definition of a TV dad.

From Salon ● Jun. 12, 2026

Anthony Head, the British television actor who had roles in “Ted Lasso,” “Merlin” and most notably father figure Rupert Giles in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” has died, his family announced Friday.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 5, 2026

The respect in his voice was profound whenever he spoke of his father figure.

From "Twilight" by Stephenie Meyer

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