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

In Season 3, Jeff Daniels appeared as Jimmy’s father, and Segel said that had been a great revelation in what drives Jimmy and his perception of Paul as a kind of father figure. — Antonia Blyth, Deadline, 16 Aug. 2026

Mosser never let the trauma of her childhood define the course of her life, and gives plenty of credit to other family members, especially her dad’s younger brother Robert, who became a father figure to her and grandfather to her children. — Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026

After the loss of her father in 2019, his role as a father figure became even more meaningful. — Christina Cardona, USA Today, 30 July 2026

The dynamic between Nanzhi and the father figure in the film tracked almost exactly onto her own relationship with her father in real life — a coincidence that extended to the actor playing that role, who also has a daughter. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 28 July 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