stepfather

American  

[step-fah-ther] / ˈstɛpˌfɑ ðər /

noun

1. the husband, by a later marriage, of one's parent.

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stepfather British  

/ ˈstɛpˌfɑːðə /

noun

1. a man who has married one's mother after the death or divorce of one's father

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• stepfatherly
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of stepfather

First recorded before 900; Middle English stepfader, Old English stēopfæder; step- + father ( def. )

Example Sentences

"Justice has finally been done for our son. He will now be able to rest in peace," Jonathan's stepfather told the press.

From Barron's • Jun. 4, 2026

Leda, rather graciously I think, doesn’t mind staying on the sideline of the story, even though everyone seems to forget that Eddie was her stepfather, too.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2026

So did her mother and stepfather, who had supported the governor for years.

From Salon • May 27, 2026

The mother and stepfather of two young French boys found alone and in tears by the side of a road in southern Portugal have been arrested.

From BBC • May 21, 2026

In my writing, there is a stepfather now who lives in California but meets us wherever we go.

From "Brown Girl Dreaming" by Jacqueline Woodson