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

Martella, who retired in 2019, considered Fogarty a brother, a friend, a mentor and at times a father figure. —Laura Ness, Mercury News, 18 Jan. 2026

Matt also became a father figure to Luciana's daughter, Alexia. —Jessica Booth, PEOPLE, 16 Jan. 2026

All grandfathers, uncles, fathers and father figures are invited. —Melinda Moore, Chicago Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026

Each one grew up in a home that required her to curry favor with volatile and inconstant parents—a menacing father figure, a recessive and enabling mother—and each found a fragile safety in her caretakers’ occasional good will. —Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 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