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 of dad

• father
• daddy

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

While filming the video, Musgraves received a text from her dad that Nana had been rushed to the hospital after experiencing a health issue. — Lily Brown, PEOPLE, 3 Sep. 2026

Now 30 years old, Spencer began his first tour with his dad the day after graduating from high school; the duo had done a collaborative album, 2014’s Sukierae, when Spencer was finishing up his senior year. — Devon Ivie, Vulture, 1 Sep. 2026

Seething at his dad for poking at his body insecurities, the comedian dealt with his emotions like any good millennial — by podcasting about it. — Deputy Entertainment, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026

The youngest, Viviana, aged her dad by an additional year, apropos for a season sprouting more gray in Espada’s salt-and-pepper beard. — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026

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