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

Etymology

Origin of father figure

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

father figure

"He wasn't just a manager to me, he was a hero at first and then he became my manager and my boss and friend, but then he became like a father figure," Clark said.

From BBC ● Jul. 21, 2026

He has, of course, become that father figure and mentor to generations within American comedy.

From Salon ● Jul. 5, 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

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 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