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.

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Etymology

Origin of father figure

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

He also lacked a father figure growing up, as his father was not involved in raising him.

From MarketWatch • May 4, 2026

After Spurs lost to Sunderland in his first match in charge, Roberto de Zerbi said his players need a father figure, not a coach.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

Army colonel Lee Shaw, her team’s father figure, in the monster realm they call Axis Mundi.

From Salon • Mar. 20, 2026

“They wanted to have a child from, well, a certain kind of man. They saw that kind of father figure as the right one.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 23, 2025

Don’t look for some sad tale of the father figure I’m missing or how he left when blah, blah, blah.

From "Sparrow" by Sarah Moon