father figure

noun

: a person often of particular power or influence who serves as an emotional substitute for a father

Examples of father figure in a Sentence

The coach was a stern, wise father figure to his players.

Recent Examples on the Web

There’s a dry, droll seam of generation-gap humor in George’s continued, failed attempts to insert himself as a father figure into the life of someone who never asked for one, and Zeke’s blankly bemused resistance to his efforts. —Guy Lodge, Variety, 19 June 2026

Happy Father’s Day weekend to all of the fathers and father figures (but not in a George Michael way). —Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 19 June 2026

Ali, who has been the series’ resident mentor, father figure, listening ear, voice of reason and confidant, transforms into what is most analogous to an action hero in a revenge plot. —Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 17 June 2026

Keach told Fox News Digital that the pain of once again losing his father figure had a deep impact on Allman's music and also fueled his years of addiction. —Ashley Hume , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 16 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1916, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for father figure

• reconfigure
• configure
• disfigure
• prefigure

Medical Definition

father figure

noun

fa·​ther figure ˈfät͟h-ər- 

: one often of particular power or influence who serves as an emotional substitute for a father