dad

noun

ˈdad 

plural dads

informal

: a male parent : father entry 1 sense 1

My mom swam and played soccer, my dad surfed, and my brother played basketball.

—Shannon Griggs

Don't get me wrong, I'm a good dad who maintains a cheerful household and greets parenthood with a smile and an open heart.

—Ron Harris

—often used as a name

When is Dad getting home?

Dad, can you give me a ride?

Synonyms

• daddy
• father
• old man
• pa
• papa
• poppa
• pater [chiefly British]
• pop
• sire

Examples of dad in a Sentence

Her mom and dad both said she can't go.

my dad did most of the cooking for dinner because he usually got home earlier than my mom

Recent Examples on the Web

Kai was holding the game ball from Alexander’s first win since June 23, 2022, while his dad fielded questions from reporters about his win in a spot start for the Astros against the A’s, the team that released him earlier this season. —Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 18 June 2025

Ultimately, Chips was forced to kill his dad in self-defense. —Christopher Rudolph, People.com, 17 June 2025

The daughter, who along with her brother was removed from the home in 2014, said her dad left bruises on her body that her mother later covered up using makeup, according to the statement of probable cause. —Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 17 June 2025

Lil Wayne's son Lil Novi says that his dad wrote most of Drake's music ? —Jessica Bennett, VIBE.com, 17 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

probably baby talk

First Known Use

1533, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing dad

• dad bod
• dad joke
• deadbeat dad

Rhymes for dad

• ad
• add
• bad
• brad
• cad
• clad
• fad
• gad
• glad
• grad
• had
• lad

Kids Definition

dad

noun

ˈdad 

informal

: father entry 1 sense 1a