fatherly

adjective

fa·​ther·​ly ˈfä-t͟hər-lē 

1

: of, relating to, or befitting a father

fatherly responsibilities

2

: resembling a father (as in affection or care)

a fatherly old man

fatherliness

ˈfä-t͟hər-lē-nəs 

noun

fatherly adverb

Examples of fatherly in a Sentence

He took a fatherly interest in the careers of younger writers.

Recent Examples on the Web

The fatherly pride was audible when Wright told me Parker had taught himself enough math from YouTube to test out of his classes and into college-level ones. —Eric Boodman, Vulture, 25 Mar. 2026

Delroy Lindo then enveloped him in a fatherly embrace. —Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 16 Mar. 2026

Beneath the hum of fluorescent lights, Juvenile pauses mid-negotiation, flips his camera, and offers a grin that feels equal parts fatherly pride and rap-legend cool. —Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 24 Feb. 2026

Mychal’s fatherly intuition, influenced by all those years in NBA arenas and practice gyms, proved correct. —Joe Vardon, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

fatherly

adjective

fa·​ther·​ly ˈfät͟h-ər-lē 

ˈfȧt͟h-

1

: of or resembling a father

fatherly responsibilities

2

: showing the affection or concern of a father

fatherly advice

fatherliness noun