Father Time

American

noun

the personification of time as an old man, usually in a white robe, having a white beard, and carrying a scythe.

Father Time British

noun

time personified as an old bearded man, usually carrying a scythe and an hourglass

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.

Djokovic can never be ruled out of becoming the oldest major men's singles champion in the Open Era, but Father Time has been sat waiting on Djokovic's shoulder for a good while.

From BBC • May 29, 2026

Only this time, he was also competing against Father Time.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 26, 2026

Unless James can juke Father Time and pull off another odds-defying dead lift for the ages.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

A gift: from my lucky stars and Father Time.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2026

Father Time tugged at his sheet of a beard.

From "The Last Last-Day-of-Summer" by Lamar Giles

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023